African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (23), pp. 2687-2693, 3 December 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Induced propagation of African clariid catfish, Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Geoffrey Saint Hillarie, 1809) using synthetic and homoplastic hormones

Nwokoye, Charles Ononuju¹, Nwuba, Lucy Afuluenu¹ and Eyo, Joseph Effiong^2*

¹Department of Zoology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

²Fisheries and Hydrobiology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: divinelovejoe@yahoo.com. Phone: +23442308030.

Accepted 24 October, 2007

Induced spawning of African giant catfish (Heterobranchus bidorsalis) was successfully carried out using synthetic hormone (Ovaprim) and natural hormone (homoplastic hormone-pituitary extract from H. bidorsalis). The study which was carried out at Aquafish Farm, Ihiala, Anambra State, Nigeria, lasted 70 days (May to July). Sixty gravid females and twenty mature males of H. bidorsalis (weight range of 310 to 550 g) were used for the study.  In all, 10 trials were carried out with a control. The results showed that ovaprim performed significantly better (P < 0.01) in almost all the parameters investigated. The two hormonal materials gave slightly different results in terms of pre and post hormonal induced spawning mean somatic weight loss of 423.83 ± 14.19 g and 446.00 ± 13.37 g, mean number of dead eggs of 396.10 ± 19.15 and 194.90 ± 11.00, hatchability of 9,180.13 ± 343.37 and 11,162.27 ± 362.00 hatched larvae, 35.80 ± 1.11 and 12.37 ± 1.54 deformed larvae, and 99.61 and 99.88% survival were recorded respectively for homoplastic hormone and ovaprim, respectively. Comparative cost benefit analysis showed that ovaprim which recorded better results, was also relatively cheaper. Ovaprim worth N3467.00 was used for induced breeding of H. bidorsalis with combined body weight of 13.38 kg while pituitary hormone was extracted from N 6350.00 worth of H. bidorsalis and used for induced breeding of gravid H. bidorsalis with combined body weight of 12.72 kg. Because of its relatively cheap cost, ease of handling and better survival of hatchlings from H. bidorsalis, ovaprim is highly recommended for hatchery users.

Key words: Homoplastic hormone, Ovaprim induced spawning, hatchability, Heterobranchus bidorsalis.