The African catfish Clarias gariepinus has been reared for almost 20 years in Africa with mixed success; the total farm production of this species is only 3 978 tonnes or 7.4 percent of the total farmed finfish production of 69 434 tonnes in Africa in 1994. To a large extent the poor performance of this freshwater fish species in Africa has resulted from the absence of reliable production techniques for the reproduction and rearing of the species under practical farming conditions. This manual has been written as a practical guide to the reproduction and pond rearing of the species, based on methods that have proved to be successful and reliable in the field. The manual Is divided into five major sections: general biology, including natural feeding habits and reproduction; artificial reproduction, including induced propagation without and with hormone injection; fry nursing in earthen ponds, including pond preparation, fertilization, feeding and management; monoculture, including feeding methods; and polyculture with Tilapia species. In addition, information is provided concerning the economics of different fingerling and grow-out farming practices In Africa and concerning diseases and hybridization. The document Is based on the authors’ practical field experiences with artificial reproduction and pond rearing of the African catfish on FAO field projects in the Central African Republic, the Congo, Kenya and Nigeria. It was produced as part of FAO’s ongoing activities in the development of suitable farming techniques for the sustainable expansion of aquaculture production to help meet the needs of aquaculture workers of member countries.
ISBN 92-5-103918-6
M-44
W3595E/1/12.96/1500
