A study was undertaken to assess the morphology, growth performance, feed utilization and survival of three Oreochromis andersonii strains (Zambezi, Luangwa and Kalimba ) for recommendation in the species’ culture and its genetic improvement. Ten brood fish from each strain were used to assess morphological characteristics while fry bred from each of the strains were used to assess the growth performance, feed utilization and survival.
The study revealed that Kalimba strain was significantly shorter (p < 0.001) than Luangwa and Zambezi strains in lengths from anterior dorsal to anterior anal (ADAA = 51.27±0.56mm, 58.83±0.78mm and 57.65±0.68mm), anterior dorsal to posterior anal (ADPA = 60.56±0.36mm, 66.99±0.63mm and 64.48±0.70mm) and anterior dorsal to pelvic-fin origin (ADP2 = 36.22±0.45, 41.98±0.55mm and 40.99±0.34mm) respectively. Kalimba had significantly smaller (p = 0.0009) horizontal eye diameter (HED = 18.93±0.89mm) than Zambezi (HED = 22.71±0.28mm) while Luangwa (HED = 20.64±0.30mm) did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) with both strains. Luangwa strain had significantly lower (p < 0.05) body weight gain (BWG) of 4.99 ± 0.5g compared to that of Kalimba and Zambezi which had 13.11 ± 0.31g and 13.87 ± 28g respectively. The strains did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) in feed utilization and survival rate.
The differences noted among the three strains of O. andersonii in the current study may be due to possible genetic variations among them making the species a good candidate for a selective breeding programme. This study recommends that fish farmers in the North Western part of Zambia should continue using Kalimba and Zambezi strains. The inclusion of all the three strains in a genetic improvement program to further exploit traits of economic importance is also recommended.