THE PRODUCTION AND GROWTH OF CLARIID CATFISH HYBRIDS IN CONCRETE TANKS

Hybrids of clariid catfishes, Clarias gariepinus (CG) and Heterobranch us bidorsalis (HB), were reproduced in reciprocal trials with human ch orionic gonadotropin to induce maturation and eggs fertilized by the d ry method. Fry were reared to fingerlings on brine shrimp nauplii. The growth of the hybrids and fingerlings of the parental species was com pared after 180 days in monoculture and polyculture systems. Average f ry production was higher in male HB x female CG hybrids than in the re ciprocal cross - male CG x female HB. The highest growth rates and lar gest body sizes were attained by the hybrids, followed by the offsprin g of the parental crosses. The male HB x female CG hybrid grew at a fa ster rate than its reciprocal hybrid. In view of their faster growth r ate, the hybrids have considerable potential as commercial food fish.