Small-scale fry production systems for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Abstract Experiments were conducted to evaluate and compare the production, quality and survival of eggs and the subsequent growth and survival of fry in two small-scale production systems: natural incubation and egg collection followed by artificial incubation. Artificial incubation produced a significantly greater number and biomass of fry per unit weight of female broodstock (P < 0·05). This was due to the significantly decreased spawning interval in females from which eggs were collected (mean = 23· days) compared to naturally incubating females (mean = 36·8 days). It is also hypothesized that survival during artificial incubation (85%) is greater than in natural incubation. Cost-benefit analysis demonstrated a threefold increase in total net returns for artificial incubation.