Mass production of hybrid magur and its culture potential in Bangladesh

Abstract

Fertility, survival rate and hatching rate of hybrids of local magur Clarias batrachus and African catfish C. gariepinus were compared with the purebred species. Hybridization was conducted by hormone injection of purebreds and F1 hybrids (F1-A), and artificial fertilization. Pure parental crosses as well as possible hybrid combinations were obtained. The fertility of F1 hybrids (F1-A), purebred C. batrachus and C. gariepinus was 71.0%, 46.5% and 84.0% respectively. The fertility of an F2 hybrid was 32.0%. The timing of embryonic developmental stages of F1 hybrids (F1-A) was similar to that of purebred species. The hatching rate and survival rate of F1 hybrids (F1-A) up to first feeding stage were 33.0% and 48.3%, respectively, which were significantly higher (P > 0.05) than the purebred C. batrachus. Only three embryos of an F2 hybrid hatched successfully, and only one of these survived. The embryonic development of F1 hybrids (F1-A) and their hatchability and survivability ensured the viable capacity of their progeny for mass culture. Hybrid morphology, both external and internal, was intermediate to that of the parents.