355 Indian J. Fish., 50(3) : 355-362, Jul.-Sep., 2003 Embryonic and larval development of spotted murrel, Channa punctatus (Bloch) M.A. HANIFFA, M. NAGARAJAN, K.MARIMUTHU AND A. JESU AROCKIA RAJ Centre for Aquaculture Research and Extension (CARE), St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai – 627 002, India ABSTRACT Induced breeding experiments of spotted murrel, Channa punctatus (Bloch) were conducted in mature males and females by administrating a single intramuscu- lar injection of ovaprim at a dosage of 0.3ml/Kg body weight. Spawning was observed 23-24 hrs after the injection at ambient temperature and the fertilized eggs were buoyant, non-adhesive, and straw yellow in colour with diameter ranging between 0.9mm and1.10 mm. Incubation period was 24-25 hrs. The hatchlings were transparent and measured 2.7-2.9mm, with a large oval head, a well-defined yolk sac and short tail and the larvae attained free normal move- ment when 36 hrs old. The yolk got fully absorbed within 3 days and by this time mouth formation was complete and the larvae started feeding. The post larvae were observed to start aerial respiration on 17 th day. After 20 days the length of fry ranged between 7.5 and 7.8mm and resembled the adult in its external features. Length of the fingerlings ranged from 18.3-21.0mm after 35 days and appeared just like an adult in all respects except sexual maturity. Introduction The spotted murrel Channa punctatus commonly known as “Koravai” in Tamil is an important food fish. It has been identified as a potential candidate species for aquaculture in derelict and swampy water since it is an air breath- ing fish. It commands good consumer preference due to its taste, less intramus- cular spines and high protein content. Success of its culture depends on many factors and the most important ones are the availability of seeds. Most species of fish pass through a critical and crucial larval stage before assuming the adult characteristics by metamorphosis (Diwan and Dhakad, 1995). The present study elaborates the embryonic and larval de- velopment of the spotted murrel Channa punctatus. Materials and methods C. punctatus brooders were collected from ponds in the vicinity of Palayamkottai, transported to Centre for Aquaculture Research and Extension (CARE), acclimatized at CARE stocking ponds (7.5x5x1.5m) and fed on finely chopped chicken intestine (Josemon et al., 1994). Spawning was induced by in- tramuscular injection of ovaprim at a dosage of 0.3ml/kg body weight (Haniffa and Sridhar, 2002). Each breeding set