Source of brood stock

• May be grown in farm or captured from rivers, lakes or reservoirs and stocked in proper brood fish ponds.
• Moreover, transportation of brood fish involves transport cost, injury and physiological stress. Therefore, is advisable to rear them in the farm itself.

Brood fish ponds

• Built closer to a water supply to facilitate water management.
• Area ranges from 02-0.3 ha, with a water depth of 1-2 m.
• Should be drainable , and of rectangular shape, width wide not exceeding 25 m.
• Are prepared and cleared once a year.

Segregation of brood stock

• At least 3-4 months before the breeding season.
• It is desirable to segregate the males and females into separate ponds, to avoid unwanted spawning.
• Stock is maintained under uncrowded conditions and fed on protein-rich natural and supplemental feeds to assist faster gonadal development.
• High carbohydrate feeds need to be avoided to prevent accumulation of fat.
• Prevent handling stress.
• In common carp, it is necessary to prevent the stimulation of spawning through the flow of fresh water into the pond.
• The pond is also cleared of any substrates for eggs, such as weeds and grasses, to avoid stimulating wild spawning.

Stocking density

• 20-50 ripe breeders ( weighing 150-250 kg) can be reared in 0.1 ha pond area.