Reproductive Performances of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus according to the Type of Hormones and Substrates in Recycled Water in Southern Cameroon

Aims: Improve production of Clarias gariepinus fry through the use of local materials.

Place and Duration of the Study: From 1st April to 09th May 2016 at the Akak Essatolo Fish Farm in Ebolowa, South Region Cameroon.

Study Design: 10 broodstock of C. gariepinus, were used for the artificial reproduction. Pituitary extract and Ovaprim hormones were used to induce oocytes maturation on females. Eggs were obtained by the abdominal pressure of the female. Wicks (or Local raffia fibbers (Raphia regalis)) and mesh frame were used as incubators of fertilised eggs. 12 experimental batches each consisting of 50 g of fertilised eggs were spread in triplicates on both types of incubators previously arranged in closed-circuit tanks.

Methodology: Fertilized eggs were enumerated by direct observation. At the end of the hatching (D0) and of vitelline resorption (D3), larvae of each experimental lot were counted.

Results: Similar (P = .05) absolute and relative fecundities used were recorded in all treatments. Female eggs induced with pituitary extracts and incubated on raffia fibbers recorded lower (P ˂.05) fertilisation and hatching rates. All other treatments were comparable (P = .05) for these parameters. Deformed larvae rates were comparable (P = .05) for all treatments. Survival rates at the end of yolk sac resorption (J3) were higher (> 70%) in all treatment. However, treatment with Ovaprim and wick showed a survival rate (71.1%) significantly (P ˂ .05) lower than the other treatments (> 80); which have otherwise remained comparable (P = .05).

Conclusion: The superiority of ovaprim at the beginning of reproduction is offset by the poor survival rate, which is better with the pituitary gland. It is therefore concluded that the use of the synthetic hormone is not economical for optimal production of C. gariepinus fry. In the same way a mastery of the use of the raffia fibres will improve the cost-effectiveness and consequently will decrease the production costs.