1. Characterization, Production and Aquaculture Potentials of Fast Growing Intergeneric Hybrids from Clariid species in Floating Net Bamboo Cage BY Agbebi O.T., Alegbeleye W.O., Adebambo O.A., Agbaje M., Odulate D.O., Olaoye O.J

2. INTRODUCTION Aquaculture production in Africa is still insignificant at the global level and accounts for about 0.9 percent the total global aquaculture production in 2000 (FAO, 2003) Heterobranchus and Clarias species are leading freshwater candidates for aquaculture in Africa, similar in appearance but have differential growth performances in culture. There are many heteroclarias and Clariobranchus types being produced by aquacultural practitioners in Nigeria without paying attention to the type of hybrid fingerlings being released to the ponds or culture medium.

3. INTRODUCTION CONTD These F 1 hybrids have been reported to be fertile (Aluko, 1998; Nwadukwe, 1995). The problem posed by this is the indiscriminate use of these fertile hybrids as broodstock for further propagation posing a serious threat to the purity of our indigenous Clariid species. Furthermore, there is need to harmonise the growth records of these hybrids and recommend the fastest growing hybrids. This study was therefore designed to determine the fastest growing F 1 hybrids for culture using two Clariid species: H. bidorsalis, and C. gariepinus domesticated and wild strains

4. Objectives of the study Morphological, meristic and molecular characteristics of Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus bidorsalis of the parent stocks. Characterisation of the strains using microsatellite markers Determination of suitable fish primer for successful taxonomic study To assess and harmonise various growth records of these hybrids in order to recommend the fastest growing hybrids. To carry out comparative studies on the desirable characters and strains under the same environmental condition to determine characters that are superior to their parent strains.

5. MATERIALS AND METHODS Broodfish Selection and Collection (Wild & Domesticated) Molecular Characterization -DNA Extraction -Polymerase Chain reaction and -Agarose Electrophoresis Injection, Fertilization and Incubation Techniques

7. Experimental Crosses Parental Group Female H. bidorsalis X Male H. bidorsalis (Domesticated) Female H. bidorsalis X Male H. bidorsalis (Wild) Female C. gariepinus X Male C. gariepinus (Domesticated) Female C. gariepinus X Male C. gariepinus (Wild) Intergeneric Hybrid (Heteroclarias type) Female H.bidorsalis (Domesticated) X Male H. bidorsalis (wild) Male H. bidorsalis (Domesticated) X female H.bidorsalis (Domesticated) Intergeneric Hybrid (Clariobranchus type) Female Clarias gariepinus (Domesticated) X male Clarias gariepinus (Wild) Male Clarias gariepinus (Domesticated) X female Clarias gariepinus (Wild) Intergeneric Hybrid (Domesticated type) Female Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Domesticated) X Male Clarias gariepinus (Domesticated) Male Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Domesticated) X female Clarias gariepinus (Domesticated) Intergeneric Hybrid (Wild type) Male Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Wild) X female Clarias gariepinus (Wild) Female Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Wild) X male Clarias gariepinus (Wild)

8. Data collection and analysis Fecundity (total no of eggs) = 66.6 x female body weight % Hachability = No. Of hatched eggs x 100 -------------------------- No. Of fertilized eggs % larvae survival = No of normal larvae x 100 ------------------------- No. Of hatched eggs

9. Larval Indoor Rearing Larval Outdoor Rearing Two different rearing medium will be used, namely Earthen pond and Cage culture. 6 Earthen ponds of 10 by 10 metres will be used for the rearing 12 Cage happas of one cubic metre (1m x1m x 1m) will be constructed. The cages will be mounted inside the earthen pond simultaneously for growth comparison. After seven months of rearing in these mediums the skewed sex ratio will be determined to find out the potency of hybridization techniques.

10. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The first grant was utilized only for the purchase of broodstocks and few equipments needed as shown below:

11. Fish Species (Broodstock) SexTotal Kg Cost ( ₦ )Total Cost ( ₦ ) Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Domesticated) 5 males 5 females 21.8Kg2,00043,600 Clarias gariepinus (Wild) 3 males 5 female 8.0Kg1,000 8,000 Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Wild) 2 males 2 female 5.75Kg2.20013,800 Clarias gariepinus (Domesticated) 4 males 3 females 6.50Kg1,50010,100 Total ₦ 75,500

12. Materials BoughtQuantity Cost ( ₦ ) Hatchery tank divider for Acclimitization 4 tanks12,000 ₦ 12,000 Grand Total ₦ 87,500

13. Grand Total = ₦87,500 Amount Received = ₦87,500 Amount Spent = ₦87,500 Balance = ₦00,000

14. RECOMMENDATION I recommend that second to the fourth grant would be released in order to proceed on the research work on the field. THANK YOU