Induced breeding and larval rearing experiments with milkfish Chanos chanos (Forskal) in the Philippines

Abstract

Salmon pituitary homogenate was used alone or in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin, to induce spawing in captive and wild adult milkfish at ambient temperature (26–30°C) and salinity of 34%.. Healthy or slightly injured females having oocytes with a minimum mean diameter of 0.66 mm could be induced to spawn in captivity using a total dose of 20 mg SPH/kg + 3000 IU HCG/kg given in two injections. Badly injured females did not respond readily to the hormone and required more than two injections to induce ovulation.

Milkfish larvae were reared successfully to metamorphosis using only Chlorella-fed rotifers during the first 10 days. Survival rates were greatly improved when, aside from Chlorella and Chlorella-fed rotifers, Isochrysis galbana and Tetraselmis chuii were added to the rearing tanks.