Blue Dolphin developed by FCRI !

A costly variety of ornamental fish was artificially bred for the first time in the country, Fisheries College and Research Institute (FCRI) officials have claimed.'Malwai blue dolphin' was developed at a private hatchery owned by one G Saravanan of Tuticorin with the help of FCRI.
The initiative also received help from Directorate of Fisheries Extension and Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.Dr J D Jameson, Director of FCRI, said the fish is very sensitive and even a slight disturbance would put it into an alarm situation, which could also be fatal for it.

He said all the necessary arrangements were made to provide a natural environment for the fish.It was reared in a water tank with a capacity of 500 litres."As it is a 'shy' fish, a few stones and rocks were provided to help it hide and feel at home."

The bottom of the tank was spread with sand and the water temperature was maintained constantly at 24 to 26 degrees Celsius, said D Venkataramani, FCRI dean.The incubation period was three weeks. The fish, which takes one year to attain sexual maturity, would grow up to 25t cm if it is a male and 17 cm in case of female.Around a dozen fish could be reared in the hatchery.

The adult fish would fetch Rs 1,000 while babies cost Rs 250, Jameson said. (Agencies)