Comparative study of the breeding performances of five populations of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (F1) in an experimental ongrowing system in Benin (West Africa)

Abstract

ABSTRACT In order to investigate the breeding performances of five F1 populations of Oreochromis niloticus originated from wild broodstock of Nangbéto, Sohoumè and Togbadji in the Mono basin, Gobé in the Ouémé basin and Gbassa in the Niger basin, breeding tests were conducted for 10 weeks in an ongrowing experimental system. All tested populations were checked daily in order to collect spawn and to compare the reproductive performances. Compared with others, Sohoumè, Togbadji, and Gobé populations significantly (P < .05) displayed the best breeding performances in terms of rate of multi-spawning females (89.3 ± 15.2–92.3 ± 10.8%); mean relative fecundity (4 ± 2–6 ± 3 eggs/g of female), mean gonadosomatic index (3.1 ± 2–4.8% ± 2.6); mean absolute fecundity rates (865 ± 339–989 ± 547 eggs); mean fertilization rates (98 ± 4.3–99.3 ± 1.1%); and mean hatching rates (83.7 ± 10–88.9 ± 9.1%).