ICAR-CIBA developes breeding and seed production protocols for two high value brackishwater ornamental fish species, Tiger Dwarf Goby and Chiseltooth Goby under captivity

The Tiger Dwarf Goby (Mugilogobius tigrinus) and the Chiseltooth Goby (Mangarinus waterousi) are two high-value brackishwater ornamental gobies that are rarely seen in the ornamental fish trade due to their limited availability from wild collections. Aquarium hobbyists highly prefer these fishes to maintain in the planted aquarium due to its attractive colour pattern and euryhaline in nature.

ICAR-CIBA has successfully initiated the captive seed production of these species under the project AINP on Ornamental Fish Breeding and Culture. Captive maturation, breeding, and seed production were achieved under hatchery conditions, marking the first-ever report of successful captive breeding for both species.

Both gobies, M. tigrinus and M. waterousi, exhibit parental care and are substratum spawners, with fecundity ranging from 500 to 750 eggs per spawning in M. tigrinus and 800 to 1,000 eggs in M. waterousi. The market value of M. waterousi fetches between Rs. 150 and 200/piece while M. tigrinus ranges from Rs. 50 to 75.

Due to their euryhaline nature and compatibility with other species, these gobies show great potential as ornamental fish for community, planted and nano aquariums. The technology has wider scope to popularize among the fisherfolk as livelihood income generation activity.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai)