Effect of different schedules for broodstock exchange on the seed production of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) in freshwater

This study compares the effect of three broodstock exchange treatments (exchange every month, two months and three months) versus no-exchange control treatment on year-round seed production and spawning synchrony of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus stocked in 0.4 m3 fiberglass tanks within a recirculating water system. Adult males and females with mean body weights of 161.7 g and 127.6 g, respectively, were stocked at a rate of 4 fish/tank with a male to female sex ratio of 1:3. Water temperature at 29 ± 1.0 °C and photoperiod of 18 h/day were maintained throughout the experiment. The results showed that broodstock in the exchange treatments had higher seed production and spawning synchrony compared with those in the no-exchange treatment. The exchange treatments resulted in 70.5 to 97% increase in seeds kg female−1 day−1. The different spawning parameters of broodstock in the two- and three-month exchange treatments were higher than the one-month exchange treatment. Results suggest that broodstock exchange strategy has a long-term improvement effect on seed production and spawning synchrony, and exchanging all breeders every three months is more profitable in terms of better utilization of breeders and in reducing both the holding/conditioning facilities for broodstock and the labor cost.