Production of eight types of fast growing intergeneric hybrids from four Clariid species.

摘要

Eight hybrid types were obtained from the intergeneric hybridization of four species of the African catfish, Clarias anguillaris, C. gariepinus, Heterobranchus longifilis and H. bidorsalis. Hatchability was above 98% in parental species and above 90% in the hybrid groups. Highest survival among the parental species was 78.5% in H. longifilis. Among the hybrid types, survival was highest (86.4%) in the type designated Heteroclarias A (female C. gariepinus x male H. bidorsalis). The growth performance of the hybrids (mean weight 0.014 g/day) was better than the best mean weight gain per day in two parental Heterobranchus species. Generally, hybrids with paternal Heterobranchus (designated Heteroclarias) performed better than those with paternal Clarias (designated Clariabranchus). Heteroclarias types were heavier but shorter than the Clariabranchus types.