Selection criteria for indigenous fish species for aquaculture in Malawi
1993
Jamu, D.M. | Msiska, O.V. | Pierce, B.A.C.
The future development of fish farming in Malawi depends on screening new indigenous species rather than importation of exotics such as common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Present indigenous species (Oreochromis shiranus, Tilapia rendalli) used in aquaculture in Malawi have slow specific growth rates (SGR=0.11-0.93%/day) and yields result from uncontrolled reproduction (63-67% of harvest are fingerlings). Studies show that O. shiranus can grow fast from fry to fingerlings, but such performance is short-lived and declines sharply with increasing size. Development of alternative fish species to boost production and fully utilize available feed niches in ponds through rapid screening of indigenous fish is needed. Selection criteria for candidate species should consider biological and economic criteria including price trends, consumption, land constraints, growth of the livestock and feed industries and prospects of local and regional markets. Using a procedure for screening growth potential developed by the ICLARM Capture Fisheries Management Program and collaborators, several indigenous fish species - Bathyclarias spp., Oreochromis karongae (saka), Heterobrachus longifilis, Trematochronus spp., Labro spp., Barbus spp. and Lethrinops spp. - may fit the criteria developed and require further testing for aquaculture in Malawi. Preliminary indications that O. karongae (saka) growth performance is comparable to O. niloticus suggests that this may be a strong candidate for aquaculture
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