Induced breeding of Clarias anguillaris with Xenopus laevies (African clawed frog) crude pituitary glands

Abstract

Riped Clarias anguillaris (total body weight (TBW), 350 – 600 g; mean weight, 434.44 + 79.39 g) broodstock were treated with frog, Xenopus laevis (mean weight was 68.55±20.34 g) crude pituitary glands at three replicates of three treatment levels of 1 pituitary (T1), 2 pituitaries (T2) and 3 pituitaries (T3) per brood stock and control treated with ovaprim. The latency period ranged from 9 to 14 hrs according to the hormone dosage. Eggs were incubated at temperature between 26 and 27^oC. Hatching period lasted between 24 hrs and 36 hrs of incubation. Fecundity varied according to the dosage of pituitary glands administered. T2 yielded the highest mean fecundity of 47081 + 105.16 followed by T1 with mean fecundity of 34785 + 7537. T3 gave the least fecundity of 26007 + 4359. Percentage fertilization and hatching of the eggs were also higher in T2 with 98% fertilization and hatching. This was followed by T1 (75%) and T3 with 62% fertilization and hatching. The fries were reared for 8 weeks. Mortality was observed to be highest during the second week in all treatments. T2 still had the highest survival of 68.40% followed by T1 with 29.60% survival and T3 with only 4.80% survival. The stock stabilized and no mortality (0%) was recorded from 3^rd to 8^th weeks of rearing. Results indicated that T2 was most effective followed by T1 and T3respectively. Weight of frogs and their respective pituitaries and weight of fish appeared to have relative effects on their productivity.

Key Words: C. anguillaris, breeding, frog pituitary, induced, hormone.