Experts say fish is an ideal aquarium pet and prefered research partner for scientific fraternity

SRINAGAR: For the first time in Kashmir valley, Division of Fish Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-K have successfully conducted the breeding of an ornamental freshwater fish commonly known as Zebrafish, (Daniorerio) under cold water conditions.
The experiment was conducted by the B.F.Sc. 4th year student, Saif-ullah under the guidance of scientists of the division: Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Rather and Dr. Irfan Ahmad. The breeding activity of zebrafish was carried out by manipulating the photoperiod and temperature conditions. The eggs were successfully collected and their hatching process was observed. The methodology can be used for brood stock and seed production of Zebrafish in the valley.
According to experts, ornamental fishes are currently gaining importance as a means of livelihood due to their tremendous prospectus and economic value in the international fish trade and aquaculture. The practice of ornamental fish keeping in the glass tank is a very common tradition, being the second most preferred hobby in the world after photography mainly due to the bright coloration and natural stress relieving property of ornamental fishes. The large numbers of ornamental fish keeping hobbyists are rising day by day on a global level, particularly in our valley. Many young entrepreneurs in Kashmir are investing their money in this venture as it ensures great income generation and involves low investment aided by high social acceptance. Zebrafish, also being a fish of ornamental value, can now be reproduced in cold water conditions and offers a tremendous scope for young aquapreneurs of Kashmir.
The added that Zebrafish also finds wide application in scientific and biomedical research for its unique developmental and biological characteristics. Prof.
Dr.Massarat Khan, Dean, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-K and Vice chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai congratulate the whole team and have pinned hope of decimation of this technology for the local ichthyofauna for conservation and propagation.
The Faculty of Fisheries SKUAST-K located at Rangil, Nagabal, Ganderbal is the only Fisheries College in the country with Hill and Coldwater Fisheries, offering BFSc, MFSc and PhD courses in various disciplines of Fisheries.

KR Desk