Scientists have successfully developed a technique for artificial breeding and fry production of an endangered variety of fish, locally called gutum. The technique was developed in the fresh water sub-station of Bangladesh Fish Research Institute (BFRI) in Saidpur upazila of the district. This achievement would help save the small indigenous fish species Lepidocephalichthys — from extinction as it is very popular among the local people for its delicious taste and high nutritional value. Lepidocephalichthys is a genus of ray-finned fish in the Cobitidae family. The fish is yellowish in colour with laterally flattened body and small scales covered with mucus, with black lines on the back fin. Gutum fish is listed as a threatened variety now, although it was once found in abundance in rivers, canals, floodplains, ponds and swamps, said Shawkat Ali, upazila scientific officer of BFRI sub-station. In order to conserve its gene pool, we carried out comprehensive research by collecting living samples from local water bodies in December and January and then preserving them in our specialised ponds, he added. At this stage, different natural and synthetic inducing agents were tested to evaluate breeding performance like ovulation, fertility and hatchability. By June, male and female fishes are separated and kept in trays for five to six hours after being injected with hormones so that each female fish can release sufficient number of eggs to produce fish fry, he added. At the age of eight days, fish fry are released into ponds where each fish grows to 15 cm in length and 10 gram to 12 gram in weight by October or November, becoming suitable for consumption. The new technique will be taught to fish farmers after instruction by the higher authorities. This will lead to improvement in the farmers’ nutrition intake and also social and economic status, said Khondokar Rashidul Hasan, chief of fresh water sub-station. BFRI Director General Yahia Mahmud said scientists in the sub-station had earlier evolved techniques on artificial breeding and fry production of popular small fish variety tengra, for which his office was awarded silver medal by the prime minister during National Fish Week this year. The scientists are now working with 65 endangered rare fish varieties like bourani, khalisha, shol, taki, chang and so on, in order to save them from extinction in the face of adverse climatic situation, Yahia added.