BROODSTOCK SEX RATIO IMPROVES FRY PRODUCTION IN NILE TILAPIA(OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS) IN NORTHERN SENEGAL

This present study was conducted to determine fry production in different male-female sex ratios of Oreochromis niloticusbroodstock in order to improve fry production, which handicapped the development of fish farming in northern Senegal. A total of 180 broodfish (47 males and 133 females) were stocked at a density of 2 fish /m2and was replicated three times for each sex ratio of 1:2, 1:3and 1:4 (male : female). Mean body weight ranges from 136.47±2.13 and 107.27±2.14 g for female and male O. niloticusbroodstock, respectively. The experiment was conducted for 90 days and the broods were fed on commercial diet containing 32% crude protein.Fish were held in 9 rectangular tanks of 30 m3 each (10 × 3 × 1) and half-filled. The results showed that number of fry produced at different sex ratios were significantly different, with sex ratio of 1:2 producing a highest number of fry (279.67) per female, followed by the 1:3and 1:4 treatment recorded the lowest.Broodstock sex ratios also did not affect female survival rates and all treatments had 100% survival rates. Temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH values obtained were suitable for good water quality and normal tilapia reproduction.In conclusion, the results of the present study recommend to stock Oreochromis niloticus brooders when stocked at a density of 2 fish /m2 at a sex ratio of 1 male : 2 female in order to obtain the highest fry production.