Benefits and Guide for Murrel Fish Farming in India
Today, we discuss the topic of Murrel fish farming techniques, advantages.
Introduction of Murrel Fish Farming:
Murrel fish is one of the popular freshwater and tasty fish in India. Commercial farming of Murrel fish has significant importance in India. Murrels also cultured in the Philippines, Taiwan & Thailand. Murrel fish also called snakehead fish. Murrel fish belongs to the family of “Channidae”. Murrels have high demand and high market value in India. With good fish management practices, it has a huge potential for high returns.
Health Benefits of Murrel Fish:
Fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein. Some of the health benefits of fish consumption are given below.
- Regular fish consumption may prevent heart disease.
- Regular fish consumption may improve skin and hair.
- Regular fish consumption may reduce Alzheimer’s risk.
- Regular fish consumption may ease depression.
- Regular fish consumption may boost brain development & eye health.
- Regular fish consumption may reduce some types of cancer.
- Regular fish consumption may control diabetes.
In this article, let us discuss Murrel fish farming in the pond.
Local Names of Murrel Fish in India:
Murrai, (Hindi), Koramenu, Koramatta (Telugu), Viral meen (Tamil), Korava, Vatton (Malayalam), Cheng (Bengali), Maral (Marathi), Hal (Assamese), and Gadisha (Oriya).
Types in Murrel
There are 4 types of Murrels cultivated in India (especially in Andhra Pradesh).
S.NO.
Common Name
Scientific Name
1
Giant Murrel
Channa marulius
2
Striped Murrel
Channa striatus
3
Spotted Murrel
Channa punctatus
4
Mud Murrel
Channa gatchua
Land Selection in Murrel Fish Farming:- Land selection in Murrel fish farming must be a number one priority and it should meet 2 standards. The pond should be positioned above the plain and should possess good quality water. As part of land or pond preparation, metabolic waste should be removed.
Read about: Tilapia Fish Farming.
Pond Construction for Murrel Fish Farming:
Attention should be given while constructing a pond. One should not stock Murrel fish heavily in the pond and stocking number always depends on the fish size. To retain the water and hold the Murrels, an earthen dyke should be built. The height of the dyke depends on the topography of the land. generally, the height of dyke should be between 50 to 100 cm. There needs to be a perimeter canal where the water comes out and cross trenches should be constructed on the opposite side. To remove the water during the desalination, the lower part of the trenches has to be placed above the perimeter canal.
Read this: Murrel Fish Farming Project Report.
Seed Collection:
The commercial Murrel breed culture is not common in India due to inadequate seed availability. However, The Murrel fish fingerlings are available in rivers, reservoirs, perennial tanks, and other water bodies. One can expect maximum seed availability in the month of May to Aug. The present market demand for Murrel fish seed is met by wild collections.
Seed Stocking:
The Murrel fish allow for high density or overcrowding stocking due to the extra support of air-breathing organs. An average stocking of Murrel fingerlings can be from 20,000 to 25,000 per hectare. Usually, fishermen collect the Murrel fingerlings from natural resources and sell them to the culturists. If you are planning for Murrel fish farming, you can buy these Murrel fish fingerlings from local culturists or any government fisheries.
Drainage and Water Supply:
A feeder canal should be provided for allowing the water flow. A sluice gate also recommended and should fit on the wooden shutter @ 30 cm height of the plot. Another gate may be used in order to drain the water from the plot down to the feeder canal. This can be placed at the time of low tide for draining water and water exchange. In order to regulate water movement, wooden shutters should be placed @ the exit and entry points of the gate.
Read this: Biofloc Fish Farming Advantages.
Water Temperature Control:
For better growth of Murrel fish and to maximize feed conversion, pond water temperature should be controlled.
Harvesting of Fish:
The fish farmer can use the fishing nets to collect the fish from the pond when they gain at least 500 grams. In the case of mud Murrel, the size would be small.
Market Demand:
In India, Most the people who eat fish like the Murrel due to its taste. Murrel fish market demand is very high and they are sold in open markets at 400 to 500 Rs per kg. In some seasons, may expect more cost. The big advantages of Murrel fish are they will be live for long on the ground compared to other fish.
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