Principles of Genetics and Breeding

5.1.3 Hybridization between catfishes

Viable reciprocal hybrids of the catfishes, Heteropneustes fossilis and Clarias batrachus were produced by induced breeding and in vitro fertilization.

• All the progeny of these reciprocal crosses found to possess a long dorsal fin and closely resemble morphologically to one of the parents, 'Magur'.
• Chromosome number of H. fossilis is 56 and C. batrachus is 50, and hybrid is 53.
• Molecular and karyological analysis revealed that they were true hybrids.
• The hybrid of Clarias macrocephalus and C. gariepinus is cultured in Thailand. The former is a slow growing fish but fetch a good market value for its yellow-coloured flesh. Whereas, C. gariepinus grows very rapidly but its pink coloured flesh is not liked by the consumers. The hybrid grows larger than C. macrocephalus but possess yellow colour flesh and thus, is commercially successful.