Open AccessBREEDING AND CULTURE OF THE RED‐GOLD COLOR PHASE OF TILAPIA
Author(s) -
Behrends L. L.,
Nelson R. G.,
Smitherman R. O.,
Stone N. M.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of the world mariculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0735-0147
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1982.tb00028.x
Subject(s) - biology , tilapia , fishery , orange (colour) , zoology , fish <actinopterygii> , horticulture
The red‐gold tilapia, a color phase resulting from crossing a mutant “reddish‐orange” color strain of Tilapia mossambica with “normal” colored tilapia species, is cultured on a limited basis in Asia, the Mideast, Latin America, and the United States. Marketing surveys have shown a significant consumer preference for the red‐gold color phase, presumably due to their similar appearance to popular reef and marine fish. Studies have been initiated between the Tennessee Valley Authority and Auburn University to define the culture and breeding characteristics of the red‐gold tilapia. Yield trials have been conducted in fertilized ponds and in cages receiving feed. Growth rates for young‐of‐the‐year and overwintered fingerlings have been quantified for males and females. Hormone‐induced sex reversal has shown potential for reducing reproduction in culture ponds. Results from F‐1 and F‐2 inbreeding studies suggest that 2 to 3 genes influence the gold coloration. To date, 6 different phenotypes (gold, bronze, pink‐mottled, pink, white, and wild) have been described.