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Aspects of the biology of the catfish Clarias lazera (Cuv. & Val.) related to its economic cultivation

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Limnology and Marine Biology in the Sudan

Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 21))

Abstract

The seasonal abundance, population structure, reproduction, feeding, respiratory adaptations and tolerance were studied in the catfish Clarias lazera (Cuv. & Val.) in the reservoir of Jebel Aulia on the White Nile, and in the Green-Belt canals near Khartoum. Continuous monitoring of the ripe, spent and spawning females and immature fish in the population revealed that C. lazera breed synchronously in the autumn in the reservoir and rather sporadically in the canals. Medium-sized females were more fecund than old and young females. Administration of pituitary extract enhanced maturation, induced spawning in mature fish, stimulated body growth, especially in maturing specimens, and produced, as a side-effect, a diuretic response. Mature fish depended on pulmonary respiration for about 45% of the total oxygen requirement. C. lazera fed preferentially on its fry and on decayed proteinaceous food. The suitability of this species for economic cultivation is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum, Sudan

    M. M. Babiker

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  1. M. M. Babiker
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Editor information

H. J. Dumont A. I. el Moghraby L. A. Desougi

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© 1984 Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague

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Babiker, M.M. (1984). Aspects of the biology of the catfish Clarias lazera (Cuv. & Val.) related to its economic cultivation. In: Dumont, H.J., el Moghraby, A.I., Desougi, L.A. (eds) Limnology and Marine Biology in the Sudan. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 21. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6557-7_32

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6557-7_32

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-6559-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-6557-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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