GROWTH PERFORMANCE, SURVİVAL AND BREEDİNG OF Ore-ochrmis niloticus AND Oreochromis macrochir REARED UNDER GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS

The growth, survival and breeding performance of Oreochromis niloticus and Oreochromis macrochir was investigated in earthen ponds under greenhouse conditions at Henderson Research Institute. Six experimental ponds, three in open atmosphere and three under greenhouses were set up. Each pond was further subdivided by hapas to make 12 experimental units of which half were stocked with Oreochromis niloticus and the other Oreochromis macrochir . Fish weights and lengths were recorded fortnightly and feed intake was based on current biomass. Fish sex and breeding activities were noted. Results showed that mean weight gain for O. niloticus was significantly higher than O. macrochir both in greenhouse ponds and open ponds. Feed intake was also higher leading to greater weight gains in the greenhouse than in open ponds. Growth performance of both species improved significantly under greenhouse culture but O. niloticus was much superior compared to O. macrochir . Even O. niloticus cultured in open ponds had superior performance to O. macrochir cultured in greenhouse ponds. Turbidity, alkalinity and sulphates had positive correlation with the weight and length of O. macrochir in open ponds. The study results demonstrated that the greenhouse can enhance growth performance of O. niloticus and O. macrochir in climatic considered less favourable for tilapia culture.