The endangered Gotali fish (Crosso Cheilus latius)—once on the brink of extinction—is poised for a comeback, thanks to an innovative breeding technique developed by researchers at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI). This scientific milestone was achieved at BFRI’s freshwater substation located in Saidpur upazila of Nilphamari.
Classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2015, this indigenous species belongs to the Cyprinidae family. Known in different regions as Tatkini or Kala Bata, the Gotali fish is celebrated for its delicate flavor and high nutritional value. Once plentiful in the Teesta basin and in the fast-flowing rivers of Mymensingh and Sylhet, its population sharply declined due to habitat degradation, pollution, harmful fishing practices like current nets and electrofishing, and climate change-related disruptions.
In response, a dedicated research initiative was launched in 2023.
“We recognized the critical situation and took prompt action to preserve this valuable species,” said Dr. Azhar Ali, the principal scientific officer of the Saidpur substation and leader of the research team.
To begin the restoration process, BFRI scientists collected live specimens weighing 5–6 grams from the Teesta and Buri Teesta rivers during the early monsoon months of April and May. These fish were then kept under controlled conditions in research ponds for a year to allow for domestication and acclimatization, crucial for successful breeding.
As the breeding season commenced in July and August, mature fish were relocated to hatchery tanks with slow-moving water to simulate natural conditions. Researchers applied synthetic hormones to induce spawning and experimented with various agents to enhance ovulation, fertilization, and hatch rates.
Once the eggs hatched, the larvae were fed a solution of boiled egg yolk and water. Within a week, they were transferred to nursery ponds for further growth. Over a period of 45–60 days, the fries reached a size of 5–6 cm, achieving a survival rate of approximately 65–70%, according to the scientists.
Dr. Sonia Sharmin, a senior scientific officer involved in the research, noted,
“The adaptation phase was vital. Without conditioning the fish to captive environments, artificial propagation at this scale wouldn’t have been possible.”
The breeding technique was developed by a five-member research team including Dr. Azhar Ali, Dr. Sonia Sharmin, Maliha Hossaim Mou, Srebas Kumar Saha, and Md Abu Naser.
BFRI now plans to distribute the juvenile fish to farmers, paving the way for commercial-scale rearing through both public and private hatcheries. This effort marks a significant step forward in safeguarding the species and promoting sustainable aquaculture.
It’s worth mentioning that BFRI’s Saidpur substation previously earned national recognition in 2017 for successfully developing breeding techniques for another native favorite—Tengra fish.
