PRODUCTION OF HYBRID VIGOR THROUGH CROSS BREEDING BETWEEN CLARIAS-BATRACHUS LIN AND CLARIAS-GARIEPINUS BUR

The present study was undertaken for stock improvement of Asian catfis h (C. batrachus) through hybridization with introduced African catfish , C. gariepinus. Hybrid vigor of catfish was produced through cross br eeding between Clarias batrachus female and Clarias gariepinus male. H eterosis was compared at different stages from larval to market size f ish between Fl hybrids produced from the crosses between (1) C. batrac hus female X C. gariepinus male and (2) C. gariepinus female X C. batr achus male. At the same time, they were compared with their respective control sibs. The average performance traits (viz. hatching rate, via bility of larvae, growth and survival) of individuals derived from cro sses between C. batrachus female and C. gariepinus male were significa ntly better than their reciprocal and control sibs. In reciprocal cros ses, survivors were mostly deformed and abnormal which later showed a severe rare of mortality. As the hybrids produced are found to be hete rotic, then it might have important implications for the Asian aquacul ture industry.