Study on breeding of Garra fuliginosa Fowler, 1934 for conservation by community participation

Abstract

The natural population of Garra fuliginosa has declined due to overfishing and environmental degradation, thus impacting the abundance of natural resources and reducing food sources of local communities. The breeding of G. fuliginosa has not been studied. Therefore, breeding this species is another approach that may resolve the problems. This research aimed to study the breeding, embryonic development, and release of G. fuliginosa fry after seven-day nursery period with community participation. The breeding process involved hormone induction using Buserelin acetate combined with a Domperidone to stimulate ovulation and sperm. A completely randomized design (CRD) was applied with 3 treatment groups, each with 2 replications. The experimental groups were based on three concentrations of the Buserelin acetate 10, 15, and 20 µg/kg of fish body weight, combined with Domperidone 10 mg/kg. of fish in all hormone levels. The study also included observation of embryonic development and the release of fry into natural habitat. The results showed no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) among the three experimental groups in terms of spawning time, hatching time, fertilization rate, hatching rate, and survival rate after 7 days of larval rearing. Embryonic development took 19 hours and 48 minutes at a water temperature of 26–27°C. Newly hatched larvae had an average total length of 3.2 millimeters. Approximately 580,000 G. fuliginosa fry were released into natural water sources, with 35 local community members participating in the activity.