Guwahati : In a major breakthrough for aquaculture and biodiversity conservation, scientists at the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute have successfully achieved India’s first captive breeding and larval rearing of Channa stewartii, a rare ornamental species native to the upper Brahmaputra basin.

The milestone was recorded in April 2026 at the institute’s Guwahati Regional Centre and is being viewed as a crucial step towards reducing dependence on wild-caught stocks while promoting sustainable ornamental fish trade.

Commonly known as the Assamese snakehead, the species is highly valued in the ornamental fish market for its distinctive iridescent blue fins and visual appeal. Prices typically range between Rs 600 and Rs 1,200 per pair. Until now, the absence of a standardised breeding protocol meant traders relied heavily on wild populations, raising concerns about overexploitation in fragile hill-stream ecosystems across Northeast India.

The breakthrough was achieved under the All India Network Project on Ornamental Fish Breeding and Culture, launched in April 2024. Researchers conditioned nearly 30 wild brooders in a semi-natural setup using sand substrates, bamboo structures, and earthen shelters to replicate natural spawning conditions.

A mature pair was later transferred to a fibre-reinforced plastic tank, where it spawned naturally without hormonal induction. The pair produced between 1,578 and 2,769 eggs, with a hatching success rate of around 73 per cent. The larvae, measuring approximately 8.4 mm, demonstrated healthy growth and active swimming behaviour under controlled conditions.

Institute Director Pradip Dey described the achievement as a “major step towards sustainable ornamental fisheries,” highlighting its potential to support aquaculture-based entrepreneurship while easing ecological pressure on wild stocks.

He also emphasised the need to scale up hatchery production under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and introduce certification systems for captive-bred ornamental fish.

Experts said the development not only strengthens conservation efforts but also opens new livelihood opportunities, linking scientific innovation with sustainable economic growth in the region.