Abstract
Induced breeding trials of two clariid catfishes, Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus bidorsalis, were conducted using five doses (2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 mg/kg) of acetone-dried tilapia pituitary (ADTP) extracts.
Oocyte maturation and ovulation were induced in female catfishes by single intramuscular injection of 6–10 mgkg ADTP; optimum results were obtained with 8 mgkg in both catfishes. At ambient temperature (27 ± 1 C). ovulation occurred within 14–18 h post-injection resulting in 16–20% increase in egg diameter. Fertilization and hatching percentages increased (P < 0.05) with increases in hormone dosage. Survival of fry fed a mixed zooplankton diet was high (ranging from 79% to 85%) after 30 d of rearing.