Intraspecific Hybridization Of Normal Pigmented And Albino <i>Clarias Gariepinus</i> From Yola And Katsina under Hatchery Condition

Abstract

The study examined the reproductive indices of albino and normal pigmented Clarias gariepinus fish from Katsina (KT) and Yola (YY), carried out under hatchery condition. The experiment compared the fecundity, testes, milt volume, percentage fertilization and hatchability of albino (AA) and normal pigmented (NN) Clarias gariepinus from Katsina (KT) and Yola (YY). Normal pigmented C. gariepinus from Katsina (KT) had the highest number of eggs (229,240), followed by YY (127,250) and the least was recorded in the Albino (AA) (124,750). The weights and lengths of the left and right lobes as well as the volumes of the milt were quantified . However, KT had the highest weight and length of the right testis (18g and 5.7cm respectively) while AA had the highest weight, length of the left testis and milt volume (30g, 11cm and 8.4ml respectively). The least length and weight of the testes was observed in YY. Meanwhile, KT and YY had milt volumes of 4.0ml and 4.7ml, respectively. The highest percentage fertilization and hatchability were recorded in KT × KT (98.7% and 98.5% respectively) among the purebred, while KT × AA had the highest percentage fertilization and hatchability (98.4% and 97.3% respectively) in the reciprocal hybrids. The percentage fertilization and hatchability among the genetic crosses showed significant differences (p<0.05). The results deduced the essentiality of fish hybridization. Furthermore, crossing of broodstocks from different regions have showcased the contingency of acquiring fish seed of improved reproductive potentials in the reciprocal hybrids in the aspects of fecundity, fertilization, hatchability rate, testis quality and faster growth.

Keywords: Albino, Fecundity, Intra-specific Hybridization, Normal pigmented, Testis