New fish species being tried out for commercial output

Mangrove red snapper being seen as an alternative to popular Vannamei

High hopes: Mangrove red snapper found in the Krishna estuary in Krishna district.

Commercial production of mangrove red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) has begun in Krishna estuary, exploring possibilities for mass production in the brackish water aqua ponds in Andhra Pradesh.

The high-valued fish has the potential to become the alternative species for Vannamei, which has been largely infected with white spot virus leading to bleak prospects for the brackish water aquaculture in recent years in Coastal Andhra Pradesh.

In a bid to introduce an alternative species for Vannamei, the scientists of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI-Karwar in Karnataka) have started research a few years ago, intensifying their efforts to develop mangrove red snapper seed for commercial production.

Former CMFRI director G. Saida Rao told

The Hindu, “We have begun the research on mangrove red snapper in Karwar in Karnataka in the mid-2000s to develop the seed. However, the commercial production of the species is yet to begin in the country.”

Mr. Saida Rao opined that the species had high market value across India and speedy growth had been recorded.

Ryot takes initiative

Lanka Raghu Sekhar, a progressive farmer from Nagayalanka village in Krishna district, has launched the commercial production in the floating cage in the Krishna estuary, examining the possibilities for mass cultivation in ponds. “At least 100 small-sized wild seed of mangrove red snapper has been collected from the Krishna estuary and its growth is impressive,” Mr. Raghu Sekhar said.

Mr. Sekhar is experimenting on the species to share the results with his fellow farmers and waiting for harvesting in the coming rainy season.

“At least one kilogram of growth of the wild seed can be expected within eight months.

“Farmers will focus on commercial production when institutions like the CMFRI promote mass cultivation by supplying the seed,” he said.