Journal of Experimental Agriculture International

Abstract

Hybridization of Clarias gariepinus (Cl) and Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Ht) and determination of their growth and heterosis parameters were performed. Four crosses (♀ × ♂) were tested: Cl X Cl, Cl X Ht, Ht X Cl, and Ht X Ht. Fifty 14-day-old juveniles from each of the four crosses were stocked separately in tripled plastic bowls. Fifteen fish were randomly selected each week using a fine mesh mosquito net and then weighed on a sensitive scale. The highest percentage of fertilization (58.57%) was recorded in the pure breed (Ht x Ht). The hybrid (Cl x Ht) had the highest hatching rate. Pure breeds recorded the highest condition factor (2.37), and hybrids had the highest feed conversion ratio. The Cl X Cl cross had the highest final mean weight (1980 mg) and the specific growth rate (SGR) of 4.91% / day compared to the other three crosses. Negative heterosis for growth (-14.95%) was observed in hybrids, while hybrid survival showed positive heterosis (26.56%). Poor growth of the hybrids explained the negative heterosis. Therefore, crossbreeds survived better than purebred catfish. There was a significant difference in the specific growth rate between the four genetic groups studied (P> 0.05).