Abstract
Spawning behaviour of artificially induced Indian snakehead Channa striatus in captivity was investigated using a Nikon Digital camera, D 40 and Videotape recordings. Following a routine hormone treatment technique for this fish, mature snakeheads were artificially induced by intramuscular injections Human Chorionic Gonodotrophin (HCG) at a dosage of 6000 IU kg(-1) BW 24 h after the acclimatization terminated. In this experiment, three pairs of such hormone-treated matured snakeheads were introduced into the fibre tanks (1 x 1 x 1 m) to observe the spawning behaviour and parental care. Before the HCG injections, both sexes were inactive, staying on the bottom or in shelters. Following HCG injections, after 6 h they became active and frequently left the bottom swimming in the water column. Egg release and sperm ejection occurred in the water column around the time brooders activity reached peaks. Brooders stayed motionlessly on the bottom of the fibre tank after spawning. Males arrived at activity peaks 11-13 h following HCG injections, 2-4 h ahead of the females (14-16 h). Courtship behavior indicative of spawning such as pairing, chasing and touching bodies was observed in this study. Brooders were found to "cruise together" in water column or frequently come together prior to releasing eggs and ejecting sperm.