Effect of hybridization on reproductive performance ofOreochromis karongae,Oreochromis shiranusandOreochromis mossambicus

The study assessed the effect of hybridization on reproductive performance ofOreochromis karongae, Oreochromis shiranusandOreochromis mossambicusfor a period of 120 days. Number of eggs per batch, number of females spawned, relative fecundity, egg size, hatching period, hatchability and hatchling survival were assessed. The results revealed higher number of eggs per batch and relative fecundity in the crosses whereO. shiranusandO. mossambicuswere females than femaleO. karongae. The results also revealed that egg size, hatching period, hatchability and hatchling survival were species specific. Significant differences were noted for number of eggs and larvae produced by the three species (p < .05). Interspecific and pure crosses for the same female species did not differ significantly for the number of eggs per batch, relative fecundity, egg size, hatching period, hatchability and hatchling survival. However, number of female spawned was found to be higher in the interspecific crosses of femaleO. karongaethan in pure cross ofO. karongae. Findings from this study suggest that hybridization can be used to improve reproductive performance ofO. karongaeas the females spawned increased, and it is a value addition in aquaculture management of indigenous species.

Automated summary

The study found that hybridization of Oreochromis karongae, Oreochromis shiranus, and Oreochromis mossambicus resulted in higher number of eggs and relative fecundity, but egg size, hatching period, hatchability, and hatchling survival were species specific. There were no significant differences between interspecific and pure crosses of the same species in terms of reproductive performance, except for a higher number of female spawned in interspecific crosses of female O. karongae.