An overview on Snow trout (Schizothorax zarudnyi) biology

The Snow trout, Schizothorax zarudnyi Nikolskii, 1897 belongs to Cyprinidae family, endemic to Hamoun Lake, Sistan, Iran. Female fish mature at 4 years old, a few at 3 years old, and male fish at 3 years old, and live in the rivers and lagoons of Hamoon (stagnant waters) and spawn in the same place. Natural fish populations have declined during the last several years because of environmental degradation due to drought and the introduction of non-endemic fishes to Hamoun Lake. Artificial breeding is an option to preserve and restore Sistan snow trout stocks. Given the successful breeding of this fish in recent years and the susceptibility of this endemic species to breeding, acquisition of its farming biotechnology, while restocking this valuable fish in the country, by entering the aquaculture sector of the region and the country, will increase the diversity of farmed species, provide part of the protein needed by the people and create employment.