Comparative effects of ovaprim and pituitary hormone on the inducement, hatchability, survival and growth performance of Clarias gariepinus

The effects of Ovaprim and catfish pituitary extracts on inducement, hatchability and growth of Clarias gariepinus were assessed. Fifteen broodfish, (9 males and 6 females) having mean weight of 1kg were procured and used for the study. All brood fish were selected by external morphological characteristics following standard procedures. The hatchlings were further raised for ten weeks for growth study. The water parameters monitored were dissolved oxygen (6.65mg/l), pH (7.3) and temperature (28ºC). The results showed that there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the mean fecundity of 29,852.67fish in Ovaprim and 26,230.00fish in pituitary extracts and hatchability rate (83.00% in Ovaprim and 81.67% in pituitary extracts). Survival rates of the fingerlings were 74.67% in Ovaprim and 76.67% in pituitary. However, significant changes (p<0.05) were observed in growth parameters such as weight gain, percentage weight gain and specific growth rates. From the results, Ovaprim is highly recommended to hatchery users considering the rate of fertilization, hatchability, survival, growth rate, low cost and availability. Keywords: Pituitary extract, Ovaprim, hypophysation and Clarias gariepinus