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Stages in the early and larval development of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Teleostei, Clariidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2013

Wasiu Adekunle Olaniyi  and
Ofelia Galman Omitogun
Wasiu Adekunle Olaniyi*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 220005, Osun State, Nigeria.
Ofelia Galman Omitogun
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 220005, Osun State, Nigeria.
*
All correspondence to: Wasiu Adekunle Olaniyi. Department of Animal Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 220005, Osun State, Nigeria. Tel: +234 8033799789. e-mail address: waolaniyi@gmail.com
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Summary

The African catfish Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822 is a favourite aquaculture fish in many parts of Africa and Asia because of its hardiness and fast growth rate. In this study, early, post-embryonic and larval developmental stages of C. gariepinus were examined chronologically and described. Photomicrographs of unfertilized matured oocytes from 0 min of fertilization through all cell stages to alevin, to complete yolk absorption, to free swimming larval stages are shown and documented live from lateral and top views, with the aid of a light microscope. Extruded oocytes had a mean diameter of 1 ± 0.1 mm, and possessed a thin perivitelline membrane whose space was filled with a protoplasmic layer. Heartbeat was in the range of 115–160/min prior to hatching. Hatchability rate was 85% and hatching occurred at 17 h at a controlled temperature of 28.5 ± 0.5°C, while ontogeny of the eyes and other organs were discernible. At day 4, larvae mean length was 9.3 ± 0.5 mm, exogenous feeding had commenced fully and melanophores spread cephalocaudally but were concentrated significantly on the head parts. This paper, for the first time, presents the significant chronological developmental stages of C. gariepinus embryology that will have significant implications for genetic manipulation and catfish seed production for aquaculture.

Keywords

African catfishClarias gariepinusEmbryonic stages

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Zygote , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , August 2014 , pp. 314 - 330
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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