Mahseer Breeding Center

25/04/2026

Selecting breeding stock requires experience and a sufficient base population to ensure high spawning success. It is also important for fuses that are difficult to spawn in captivity to have sufficient data. External characteristics are important signs as to whether a fish is ready to produce viable eggs for spawning. Once the fis are selected, the hormone administration and breeder management will be the next steps key to breeding success.

13/04/2026

We started the spawning program a week ago after the breeders were selected and tagged. Of the total fishes injected with hormones we managed to get eggs from a female fish weighing about 3.2 kgs …. We will have to improve on the selection of breeders for the next spawning program !!

14/03/2026

Breeding the Mahseer has always been challenging for several reasons. The scarcity of mature spawners, the low fecundity and staggered maturation of the eggs in the female, the sensitivity of the fish to handling and the long incubation required for the fish after the eggs are fertilized. Additionally there is also the deformity frequently experienced in the newborn and finally the market ready to grow this fish which takes at least 3 years to reach sizes of 2 kgs. With these challenges it is no wonder that wild Mahseer fry are the main source of fingerlings for the market. Hopefully with most of the pieces in place this puzzle can be solved soon with a new breeding program this year !!

30/10/2025

Mahseer farming has since the First International Symposium on the Mahseer was held in Kuala Lumpur, evolved with many developments in the areas of breeding, growout and nutrition … and I believe the information gathered during the 2006 event sparked this interest. While back then it was the Tor Mahseer which generated commercial interest, we now see Neo Mahseer making waves with new strains / species being introduced into the ornamental market. I believe with the time has come for Mahseer farming to be recognized as a significant contributor to aquaculture !

29/09/2025

Malaysia has lost one of its most renowned Mahseer activist, Sharifuddin Budin who is fondly known as “Hunter”. A colorful character that was very helpful in helping me unravel the mysteries of the Mahseer from an anglers viewpoint, and kindly agreed to provide information for my book. A politician, he was always active in social causes working with PKR. I last saw him a few weeks ago when he was warded at the UMMC for lung complications and breathed his last late last night. My condolences to his family and I will remember him for all the Kelah adventures for the Nenggiri to Indonesia and beyond … Rest in Peace my friend 😢

10/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1B97e5mnij/

16/07/2025

This outlet in Kuala Lumpur has the most diverse collection of Mahseer I have ever seen … just fantastic !!

05/07/2025

04/07/2025

I met up with Mr Chong, a Mahseer enthusiast who has been growing the Neo Mahseer for the last 15 years. His house has more than 10 large tanks where the fishes are kept some for more than 10 years already. We had discussed the possibility of sourcing the adult Neo Mahseer to be used in the breeding program at Raub. It is his hope than the Mahseer will one day be accepted by hobbyists in par with the Koi !!

03/07/2025

The Mahseer Breeding Center was designed for the production of Tor Mahseer of sizes from 1 inch to 5 inches in length for commercial sale. These fish are usually grown as table fish and takes between 2 to 3 years to achieve weights of 2 kgs from a size of 3 inch total length. Mahseer are also stocked in recreation ponds and quite popular as a hobbyist fish in the ornamental trade. Seeing the increasing interest in the Neo Mahseer, plans are being out in place to also develop a breeding program to produce the Neolissocheilus by the end of 2025