Effects of sex ratio, stocking density and age of hybrid tilapia on seed production in concrete tanks in Saudi Arabia

The influence of sex ratio, stocking density and age of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus X O. aureus) brood fish on seed production in concrete tanks were evaluated in 1992 and 1993. A sex ratio of 1:2 and 1:3 (male: female) and a density of 2 fish m-2 gave the best result with respect to number of seed female-1 day-1 and number of seed kg-1-1 female day-1. Maximum seed production female-1 day-1 was recorded for 3-year-old females and the minimum for 1-year-olds, but in terms of seed kg-1 female day-1 and seed m-2 day-1, 1-year-olds produced the maximum number of seed followed by 2-, 3- and 4-year-old females. Seasonal pattern in seed production was apparently influenced by season and temperature. From the first harvest on 21 April 1993 the production increased gradually, reaching a peak during the third harvest and a second peak during the sixth harvest. Thereafter seed production gradually decreased, reaching a minimum during the tenth harvest on 27 October 1993. No seed were found during the last harvest of 18 November 1993. Maximum production coincided with the highest water temperature of around 28°C.