Breeding of Channa andrao: A breakthrough for conservation and sustainable ornamental fish production by ICAR-NBFGR and Gauhati University

27 July 2026, Lucknow

ICAR–National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow and Gauhati University, jointly standardized the induced breeding protocol for Channa andrao, an endemic ornamental snakehead fish of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot.

The research was carried out at the ICAR-NBFGR’s Live Fish Germplasm Resource Centre at Gauhati University. Channa andrao is one of the most heavily traded ornamental fish species and is endemic to the Eastern Himalayas, making its conservation and sustainable utilization a priority.

The study, recently published in the Fish Physiology and Biochemistry journal reports the development of captive breeding strategies for ornamental snakehead Channa andrao, based on dose‐ dependent reproductive performance, embryonic development, and mouthbrooding behaviour under GnRHa induction.

This breakthrough provides a sustainable alternative to wild harvesting, enabling commercial seed production of Channa andrao while contributing significantly to the conservation of this valuable endemic ornamental fish species.

(Source: ICAR–National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow)