Golden Jubilee National Seminar on Diversification of Aquaculture Through Locally Available Fish Species In induced breeding-after selection of ripe brooders through secondary sexual characters, they were kept in spawning tank. In the present study the weight of female varied between 4.0 to 5.0 gm in Puntius shalynius where as in Puntius sophore it was 8 to 10 gm. As the ovaprim required for injection was very small a very low dilution of ovaprim was injected using distilled water. In Shalyni barb and Sophore barb 100 times dilution were used. The optimum dose of ovaprim was standardized on the basis of three experiments, ie. fecundity in different doses, physio-biological response to spawning with doses and fertilization rate (%) in different doses. The highest no. of eggs were 1285 in Shalyni barb and 1580 of eggs in Sophore barb at dose 0.40mI/kg body weight of fish. The hatchlings took 44-46 hrs to absorb their yolk sac. The percentage of hatching varied from 63 - 71%, They spawn were fed with green water and infusorians for 4 days. Subsequently sieved small zooplankton and chopped tubifex worms were fed for a week. ‘After that they were fed with larger plankton and powdered formulated feed. ‘A supplementary feed composition comprising of 60% maize, 15% groundnut oil cake, 10% rice polish, 8% fish meal, 5% of soya meal and 2% mineral mixture was found to have a better acceptance. Spawn were raised initially in small plastic tub for 6 days (@ 50 per litre) and then transferred to glass aquaria where they reared for 12 days (@ 25 per litre). Finally the early fry were raised (@ Sper litre) in cemented cistern for 30 days. The survival rate of Shalyni barb after 6 days of rearing, 18 days of rearing and 48 days of rearing were 82.50%, 60.53% and 50.46 respectively. In Sophore barb the survival rate after 6 days of rearing, 18 days of rearing and 48 days of rearing were 85.50%, 65.23% and 52.56% respectively. BIOLOGY INDIGENOUS ORNAMENTAL BARBS PUNTIUS SHALYNIUS AND PUNTIUS SOPHORE OF NE INDIA B. K. Mahapatra Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Deemed University (ICAR), Kolkata Centre, Sector-V, Salt Lake City, Kolkata — 700 091. bkmahapatra2007@yahoo.co.in The Shalyni barb, Puntius shalynius and the Sophore barb, Puntius sophore are two of the important ornamental fish species of North East India. These common Indian fish are fancied as aquarium fish due to their diversified ornamental value like bright colouration, dark blotches, bands, peaceful Organized by CIFE, Kolkata Centre on 27-28 August, 2010 93Golden Jubilee National Seminar on Diversification of Aquaculture Through Locally Available Fish Species nature, hardiness and compatibility. They prefer to stay in shoals. In the local markets, Puntius shalynius is sold at the rate of Rs.50/- while it’s overseas value is US$ 1.3 per pair. The cost of Puntius sophore in the local market is Rs.20/- while its overseas value is 0.42 US$ per pair. In Shalyni- barb - Colour in life, females yellow to black on flanks and back; scale black-edged; fins mainly orange with light blackish tinge. Distinctive dark blotches on side of caudal peduncle and a horizontal blue line on side of body. Found in hill- streams, It attains a length of 6 cm. In Sophore barb - Colour in life, beautiful silvery, back grey-green to brownish; flanks with a somewhat bluish lustre, underside white; a deep black round blotch at base of caudal fin, a similar black blotch on central part of dorsal fin or also on anterior part of body adjacent to dorsal fin. The shalyni barb is a planktivore and feeds on both phytoplankton and zooplankton. Diatoms like Navicula and desmids like Closterium, Cosmarium, Eaustrum and Micrasterias were the main phytoplankton food and among the zooplankton, cladocerans like Alona and rotifers like Lecane and Asplanchna and copepods like Cyclops were predomiant. Nauplius larvae and nematodes were also encountered. The spawning season commences from March and lasts till September and the fecundity varied from 810 and 3050. The maxiumum length and weight recorded in P. shalynius was 69 mm and 6.02 gm respectively. The sophore barb was found to be a planktivore with a preference to phytoplankton. Diatoms like Navicula, Fragillaria, Tabellaria, Diatonella and desmids like Closterium, Cosmarium and Netrium formed the major food. Zooplankton like Alona and nematodes were occasionally encountered in their gut. Their spawning season is from April to July and the fecundity varied between 918 and 7468. The maxiumum length and wéight recorded in P. sophore was 96 mm and 12.37 gm respectively. Organized by CIFE, Kolkata Centre on 27-28 August, 2010 94