The use of <i>Cocos nucifera</i> L. water as milt extender in artificial breeding of <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> (Burchell, 1822)

Abstract

The efficacy of coconut water as milt extender in artificial propagation of Clarias gariepinus was examined. Coconut water obtained from immature and mature Coconut fruits were used as the tested extenders while, the physiological solution was considered as the control experiment. The milt was added to the extenders at two different dilution ratios (1:10 and 1:20) and replicated thrice. Each extender was added to 700 eggs and allowed to stay for about 5 minutes, after which the eggs were evenly spread on the prepared spawning nets for incubation at water temperature of 26-270C. The fertilization rate was examined 2hours after the eggs were immersed in water, the hatching rate was monitored 28hours after fertilization and the survival rate was determined on the 14th day after hatching. The data collected were analysed using one-way ANOVA, while the differences between the means were compared using Duncan multiple range test. The results showed that the extenders had significant effects (P<0.05) on the fertilization, hatching and survival rates of Clarias gariepinus. The production cost of coconut water was lower than physiological solution and that mature coconut water at ratio 1:20 served as the best milt extender in the artificial breeding of  Clarias gariepinus.