Growth assessment of pure bred Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), Heterobranchus longiflis (Valenciennes, 1840), Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Geoffrey Saint Hillarie, 1809) and their Hybrids

Abstract

This study examined the growth performance of pure bred Clarias gariepinus, Heterobrachus spp and their hybrids. The broodstocks of the species were selected and used for breeding in the Hatchery. The crosses (treatments) were pure C. gariepinus (T 1 ), Heterobranchus longifilis (T 2 ), Heterobranchus bidorsalis (T 3 ), C. gariepinus x H. longifilis (T 4 ), C. gariepinus x H. bidorsalis (T 5 ). 900 fingerlings of 32 days old were randomly selected from each of the five crosses and stocked separately in triplicate using experimental tanks. T 1 recorded the lowest significant (p<0.05) values of final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), daily growth rate (DGR) and specific growth rate (SGR). No statistical difference (p>0.05) in FW, WG, DGR and DGR among T 2 , T 3 , T 4 and T 5 but T5 had the highest values. The combination of female C. gariepinus x male H. bidorsalis (T 5 ) will be more suitable for fish farming business.