Annual Growth and Reproductive Performance in an F2 Catfish Hybrid

Abstract

Association among growth performance, sex hormone levels, and gonad histology of fifty-four one year old hybrid F2 (Pangasianodon gigas x P. hypophthalmus) were mekong giant catfish and striped catfish hybrids, observations were made during the following periods pre- spawning (March), spawning (June), and post-spawning (October). The overall weight gains of female (174.5±41.3 to 431.8±41.3 g) and male fish (170.0±51.7 to 537.1±51.7 g) were similar. The, average daily gain (ADG of males collected in October (3.24±0.3 g/day) was higher than in June and March. Similarly, the specific growth rate (SGR) of female (0.18±0.02) and male fish (0.25±0.03) were higher in October than in June and March. The highest testosterone values in male fish were observed in June. Gonad histology revealed that spermatozoa were always present in the testes. However, no mature ovaries were observed. More collecting data are needed for further study. However, initiation phase showed that the results indicate that male hybrids mature more quickly than female hybrids the first two years of life. This study showed there was potential for future selective breeding programs with mekong giant catfish and striped catfish hybrids. 