Reproductive biology of female Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) reared in monoculture and polyculture with African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

• Published in: SpringerPlus Vol. 4; no. 1; p. 275
• Main Authors: Shoko, A P, Limbu, S M, Mrosso, H D J, Mgaya, Y D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 17.06.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Clarias gariepinus; Humanities and Social Sciences; multidisciplinary; Oreochromis niloticus; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Tilapia culture systems; Early maturation; Fecundity; Grow-out ponds; Ovary weight; Prolific breeding
• ISSN: 2193-1801; 2193-1801
• DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1027-2

This study was conducted to assess the reproductive biology and early breeding behaviour of female Oreochromis niloticus reared in monoculture and polyculture with Clarias gariepinus in earthen ponds for 8 months. Results revealed no significant difference in length at first maturity (L 50 ) between females reared in monoculture and polyculture systems. Similarly, no significant differences were detected in absolute fecundity, relative fecundity, gonado-somatic index and condition factor between the two culture systems. The absolute fecundity was more strongly correlated with total length and body weight than with ovary weight. The study concluded that early breeding of O. niloticus in captivity is not affected by the culture systems used. Therefore, O. niloticus production in either system can be improved only through proper pond management techniques.