Iwona Chwastowska-Siwiecka, Natalia Skiepko, Marlena J. Baryczka, Janusz F. Pomianowski
ABSTRACT. The aim of the study was to analyze the biometric characters and slaughter yield of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) depending on sex. The experimental material comprised 34 fish with a mean weight of approximately 1.6 kg and an age of 14 months with a sex ratio of 18 females : 16 males. The catfish were cultured intensively in a concrete pond with a volume of 9,000 l in a closed recirculating system at a water temperature of 25±1°C. The fish were fed manually (every 3 h) with complete formulated feed. Thirteen measurements were performed on live fish. The initial processing of the catfish included manual evisceration, decapitation, removal of fins, and filleting. The various body parts were then weighed on an electronic scale. The results of the most relative biometric characters demonstrated no significant statistical differences among the groups. Males were characterized by greater total length, standard length, and body weight. Only one of the metric characters – pD – was higher in males. The share of the carcass and fillets was similar in both sexes. Males presented with a higher percentage content of head (26.84) and fins (4.57) in comparison to females, and this was confirmed statistically. The share of the gut in the total weight of female fish was statistically higher.
Keywords: African catfish, sex, biometric characters, slaughter yield
Przyjęto po recenzji 4.08.2015 r.