EVALUATION OF GROWTH RATE AND SURVIVAL RATE OF 4th GENERATION TILAPIA STRAIN

Abstract

This study evaluated the growth and survival rate of growth performance selective tilapia of the 4^th generation (G4 strain) and two strains that are popular in commercial culture in Vietnam (Chinese strain and Thai strain). Three strains were cultured in earthen ponds, the experiment was repeated three times.  After 161 culture days, the growth and survival rates of the three tilapia strains were determined.  The results showed that the highest growth in weight and length was in the Chinese strain, followed by the G4 strain and finally the Thai strain (P < 0.05). Of which, the body length at harvest of the G4 strain and the Thai strain were not statistically different (P > 0.05). The coefficient of variation (CV) of body weight at harvest of the G4 strain was 26% more uniform than the other two strains of tilapia (P < 0.05). The survival rate of the G4 strain and the Thai strain was the highest and was higher than the Chinese strain (P < 0.05). Regarding fillet yield, the fillet ratio of the G4 strain was higher than the other two strains of tilapia, while the head-bone ratio was the opposite (P < 0.05). The initial results showed some potential growth characteristics of the G4 strain and the effectiveness of the tilapia selective breeding for growth performance in Vietnam.