On the grey mullets of the Nigerian coast,prospects of their culture and results of trials

Mullets have so far been recorded in the brackish water areas only and of the 8 species identified, Liza falcipinnis is the most abundant. Mullet fry (mixed species) are available throughout the year but in greater quantities between March and July. It is estimated that enough fry to stock more than 10 000 ha for polyculture can be collected from the coastal areas. With a view to culturing them in fresh water, it has been possible to acclimatize them to fresh water. This offers good prospects of culturing mullets together with common carp, catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) and cichlias (Tilapia sp.)Polyculture trials in brackishwater ponds in Lagos indicate that the natural entry of mullet fry with the tide could result in productions of up to 239 kg ha^?1 year^?1 in addition to that of other species, without supplementary feed or fertilizer. Stocking of mullet fry increased the mullet yield. Experiments indicate that supplementary feed also increases both yield and average size. Predators such as Sphyraena sp. reduce mullet population in fish ponds and also their yield.