Biology and culture techniques of bocourti catfish, Pangasius bocourti Sauvage, 1880 in Thailand

Abstract

            Bocourti catfish, Pangasius bocourti is an economic fish in Indo-China. The fish is omnivorous and bottom feeder. In nature, the fish migrate upstream into spawning area on April – June. The larva migrates to the flood area, after flood season juvenile fish migrate into downstream. In farming, the fish is all year spawning. The optimal weights of broodstock begin in 1 kg. Buserelin with Domperidone, carp pituitary gland and HCG are the successful hormones for artificial breeding of the fish. The larva nursed in tank with flow the water in every time. Before one month old, the larva must feed on high protein food and after one month old, the larva can be feed on 25 – 30 % protein of float pellets feed. In Thailand, the culture time range is about 1 – 1.5 years and average weight is about 0.4 – 1 kg.