Experimental evaluation of mass selection to improve red body colour in Fijian hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis mossambicus)

Mass selection was trialed on Fijian hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis mossambicus) to reduce the amount of black spots on otherwise red phenotypes. The responses of two selection intensities (low‐selection line, top 50% – L) and (high‐selection line, top 30% – H) were compared with that of a control line (no selection – C) across three generations. The relative growth performance of treatments (C, L and H) was examined in parallel in each generation to assess whether mass selection had a correlated negative effect on growth performance. The results show clearly that red phenotype can be improved significantly by applying mass selection, without affecting growth performance. We propose that black spots on an otherwise red phenotype could represent the allelic products of a second genetic locus influencing skin colour, which can be expressed in red individuals (genotype Rr) but which may be masked in black individuals (genotype rr).