Growth performance of chocolate mahseer (Neolissochilus hexagonolepis) in pond environment of Kumaun Himalaya during early developmental stages

Study on growth culture of chocolate mahseer, Neolissochilus hexagonolepis was conducted to adopt this mahseer as a new candidate species in hills. Growth performance was studied in terms of specific growth rate, net weight gain and net length gain. It attained an average weight of 55.19 gm (164.6 ± 11.30 mm) in the experimental pond at the early developmental stage. The physico-chemical parameters were found to be optimum. The specific growth rate (SGR) was low during the winter from November to January but an increasing trend was observed from January onwards (SGR = 3.0%). Temperature range of 19.0–23.0° C (during March -April) was found to be suitable for maximum growth. The study concludes that the chocolate mahseer could be considered as a new candidate species in hills.