BREEDING AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGENIES FROM THE CROSSES OF Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (SAUVAGE, 1878) AND Clarias gariepinus (BURCHELL, 1822)

This study was designed to evaluate the culture potential of the offspring from the  novel crosses between  Asian catfish Pangasianodon  hypophthalmus (Sauvage , 1878) and African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). ♀C. gariepinus × ♂P. hypophthalmus (Clariothalmus )  gave better hatchability than ♀P. hypophthalmus × ♂C. gariepinus (Pangapinus), however, both were lower than the pure crosses.

Based on the phenotypic characters, a larger prop ortion of the offspring of Clariothalmus were Panga-like, while only 12% were Clarias-like. However, all offspring of Pangapinus were all Panga -like. The Panga -like Clariothalmus  exhibited  shared features from both parents hence much more  phenotypic divergence from  both parents. The remain 12% of the Clariothalmus offspring (Clarias-like) and all the Pangapinus progenies (Panga -like) on the other hand were indistinguishable from the maternal parent.

A fter  sixteen weeks of culture,  the Clarias-like Clariothalmus  offspring had  better  growth than the  other crosses including the pure sibs. H owever, cannibalism and aggressive behaviour was higher  in this group of fish compared  to other. Hence, culturing Panga -like Clariothalmus separately from  the Clarias-like progenies  may be a management  practice of interest in commercial production of the hybrids.