EFFECT OF WATER TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE PERCENTAGE ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCES OF NILE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS)

Mohamed E. Farag; Ibrahim H. Ibrahim

and Ashraf A. Ramadan

Genetics and Breeding Department, Central Laboratory for Aquaculture Research, Agricultural Research Center. Egypt.

Received 5/ 4/ 2011 Accepted 10/ 5/ 2011

Abstract

Reproductive performances of Oreochromis niloticus broodstock from two populations (Kafr El-Shiekh and Abbassa) were examined for producing base population to form selective breeding program. The first broodstock was examined through three spawning seasons (2007, 2008 & 2009) in Sedy Salm, Kafer El-Shiekh Governorate. 216 females (343.5±57.59 g) and 108 males (385.1±11.53 g) were randomly examined. Fish were exposed to different levels of climatic changes as air temperature and moisture. The second broodstock was examined at the same proceeding as first broodstock through other three spawning seasons in Central Laboratory for Aquaculture Research, Agricultural Research center, (CLAR) in Abbassa, Abu Hamad, Sharkia Governorate during the three spawning seasons (2008, 2009 & 2010). The results showed that there were no significant differences in fry daily weight gain and fry specific growth rate in the two populations. So that to make selective breeding program; it was recommended to produce hybrid between the two broodstocks of Abbassa and Kafer El-Shiekh Because Abbassa population was more reproductive performances and growth rate than Kafer El-Shiekh and Kafer El-Shiekh spawned early than Abbassa at low temperature.

Key words: Reproductive performance, fecundity, Oreochromis niloticus, Water temperature, Moisture and Nile tilapia populations.