Archive · 14 Sep 2025
Scientists Grow Hilsa Fish in Ponds; Tests Show Similar Taste
Some scientists have been trying to grow hilsa fish, a popular type of fish, in ponds instead of rivers.
Hilsa usually lives in the ocean but comes to rivers to lay eggs.
These scientists want to make it possible to have hilsa available all year.
They've been working on this for a long time and have had some success.
The fish in the ponds grow, but haven't yet been able to reproduce fully.
The taste tests show that the pond-raised hilsa tastes almost the same as the ones from the river.
The project has faced funding issues and currently has no staff, impacting ongoing research.
Scientists at Cifri are working on breeding hilsa fish in ponds.
Research has been ongoing for decades, with major projects starting in 2012 and 2021.
The fish in ponds can mature, but haven't yet been able to complete a full lifecycle to reproduce.
Taste tests indicated no significant difference in taste between pond and river hilsa.
The project is currently facing funding and staffing shortages.
- Who
- Scientists at ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute
- What
- Successfully raised hilsa fish in ponds.
- When
- Research ongoing for decades, major projects started in 2012 and 2021.
- Where
- Barrackpore (research) and various ponds.
- Why
- To provide a year-round source of hilsa fish.
- Fish Type
- Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha)
- Location of Research
- ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (Cifri), Barrackpore
- Project Start
- 2012, then 2021 (3-year program)
- Funding Source
- ICAR (2021 project)
- Taste Test Results
- No significant difference in taste between pond-raised and river hilsa