Breeding and Broodstock Management Practices among Catfish Hatchery Operators in Kogi State, Nigeria
Abstract
The sustainability of aquaculture development in Nigeria largely depends on the availability of high-quality fish seed, which is influenced by breeding and broodstock management practices at the hatchery level. This study assessed breeding practices, broodstock sourcing and characteristics, artificial propagation techniques, and health management practices among catfish hatchery operators in Kogi State, Nigeria. A stratified sampling technique was used to select 132 hatchery operators across nine Local Government Areas in the three senatorial districts of the state. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that 56.1% of respondents had received training in fish breeding, with empowerment programmes being the major source of training. Crossbreeding (56.8%) and artificial propagation (65.9%) were the dominant breeding approaches. Most operators sourced broodstock from fish farms (54.5%) and identified them primarily using sex organs (79.6%), with little use of standardized identification methods. Broodstock were generally of moderate size (2-2.5 kg) and relatively young (10-11 months). Milt extraction was predominantly carried out by sacrificing male fish (84.1%), while synthetic hormones such as ovatide (37.9%) and ovulin (34.1%) were widely used for induced spawning. Most hatcheries produced juveniles (49.2%), reflecting a preference for larger seed sizes. Water for hatchery operations was mainly sourced from rivers (44.7%) and boreholes (40.9%), with aeration (64.4%) being the principal water quality management practice. Although over half of the operators monitored water quality daily, the use of filtration systems and diagnostic facilities was limited. Bacterial infections (40.2%) were the most commonly reported diseases, and medication (58.3%) was the predominant health management strategy. The study concludes that while hatchery operators in Kogi State have adopted key artificial propagation techniques, significant gaps exist in broodstock management, genetic improvement, water quality control, and disease prevention. Strengthening technical capacity, promoting structured breeding programmes, improving hatchery infrastructure, and enhancing preventive health management practices are essential for improving fish seed quality and ensuring sustainable aquaculture development.
Downloads
References
Abubakar, M., & Miftahu, M. (2024). Effect of pituitary gland from spent and unspent female brood fish on the spawning performance of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Journal of Agriculture and Environment. 19(2), 135–142.
Abarike, E., Issaka, A., & Kuebutornye, F. (2024). Enhancing growth and disease resistance in North African catfish fingerlings: The role of aeration. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry. 15(1), 8-36
Akanbi, F. (2021). As Anambra, Kogi join oil-producing states. ThisDay Newspaper.
Akinnagbe, E., Adebayo, O., Makinde, S., & Ogunkunle, N. (2025). Influence of Dracaena arborea extracts used as milt diluents on the reproductive performance of Clarias gariepinus during artificial propagation. American Journal of Aquaculture and Animal Science. 4(2), 1-9.
Andriani, Y., Pratama, R., & Zidni, I. (2023). Artificial spawning techniques for catfish (Clarias gariepinus) at the cultivated fisheries production business service center, Karawang, Indonesia. Asian Journal of Research in Zoology. 6(4), 134-148
Arif, M., & Farikhah, F. (2025). Seed production technology of Pangasius fish (Pangasius sp.) at the Mojokerto aquaculture installation (IPB). Jurnal Perikanan Unram. 15(2), 926–936
Ashley-Dejo, S., & Adelaja, O. (2022). Economics of catfish hatchery farmers and its contribution to household poverty alleviation in Nigeria. Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica, 55, 19-29.
Araujo, G. S., Silva, J. W. A. D., Cotas, J., & Pereira, L. (2022). Fish farming techniques: Current situation and trends. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10(11), 1598.
Assan, D., Anane, K., Abarike, E., Alhassan, E., & Ampofo-Yeboah, A. (2020). Evaluation of induced breeding of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) using different doses of normal saline diluted ovaprim. Journal of Applied Aquaculture, 34, 456-468.
Atawodi, J., Somdare, P., Okolo, E., & Bala, H. (2025). Assessment of bacterial contamination in farmed and wild-caught Clarias gariepinus and water sources in Zaria, Nigeria. Journal of Science Research and Reviews. 2(2), 43-52.
Audu, S., Onyia, E., & Onyia, L. (2023). Effects of different latency periods on fingerlings production using Clarias gariepinus. Global Journal of Fisheries Science. 5(1), 1-7.
Bluwey, F. A., Taiwo, I. O., Okonji, V. A., Kumah, L. A., Ipinmoroti, M. O., Boateng, M. A., & Idoko, F. A. (2018). Introduction to fisheries of West Africa (Vol. 1). Root and Associates Printing and Publishing House.
Benedicenti, O., Amundsen, M., Mohammad, S., Vrålstad, T., Strand, D., Weli, S., Patel, S., & Sindre, H. (2024). A refinement to eRNA and eDNA-based detection methods for reliable and cost-efficient screening of pathogens in Atlantic salmon aquaculture. PLOS ONE, 19.
Digun-Aweto, O., & Oladele, A. (2017). Constraints to adoption of improved hatchery management practices among catfish farmers in Lagos State. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 18, 841-850.
Eyo, V., Eze, F., & Eriegha, O. (2021). Reproductive performance of hatchery-bred, wild-caught broodstock, and their outbreed of Clarias gariepinus. Indonesian Aquaculture Journal, 15, 59-65.
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2016). The state of world fisheries and aquaculture 2016: Contributing to food security and nutrition for all. FAO.
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2019). Global fishery and aquaculture production 1950-2017. FAO.
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2020). The state of world fisheries and aquaculture. FAO.
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2021). Global aquaculture production 1950-2019. http://www.fao.org/fishery/statistics/globalaquacultureproduction/query/en
Faruk, M., & Anka, I. (2017). An overview of diseases in fish hatcheries and nurseries. Fisheries and Aquaculture Journal, 2, 311-316.
Fawole, F. J., Adeoye, A. A., Tiamiyu, L. O., & Obadara, S. O. (2020). Performance of African catfish fed on various starter feeds. Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development, 11(3), 1-6.
Galappaththi, E. K., Aubrac, C. J., Ichien, S. T., Hyman, A. A., & Ford, J. D. (2020). Climate change adaptation in aquaculture. Reviews in Aquaculture, 1-17.
Gisbert, E., Luz, R. K., Fernández, I., Pradhan, P. K., Salhi, M., Mozanzadeh, M. T., & Darias, M. J. (2022). Development, nutrition, and rearing practices of relevant catfish species at early stages. Reviews in Aquaculture, 14(1), 73-105.
Ibiwoye, Y., & Thorarensen, H. (2018). Assessment of broodstock management practices in Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development. 7(8), 198-205.
Jokthan, G. E. (2013). Effect of age of spawned catfish (Clarias gariepinus) broodstock on quantity of eggs and milt produced and growth performance of fry. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, 5, 59-61.
Kartina, K., Awaludin, A., Lembang, M., Nasra, N., Zainuddin, Z., Nurasmi, N., Nugraeni, C., Haryono, G., & Alawiyah, T. (2023). Fish spawning training by injecting mating method and feed enrichment with turmeric flour. Literasi Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat dan Inovasi. 3(1), 310-317
Kucska, B., Quyến, N., Szabó, T., Gebremichael, A., Alebachew, G., Bógó, B., Horváth, L., Csorbai, B., Urbányi, B., Kucharczyk, D., Keszte, S., & Müller, T. (2022). Effects of different hormone administration methods on propagation success in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Aquaculture Reports. 26 (2022) 101311
Kwikiriza, G., Tebitendwa, S., Rwezawula, P., Mwanja, W., Abaho, I., & Meimberg, H. (2025). Enhancing African catfish aquaculture in Uganda: Hatchery propagation and broodstock management. Fishes. 10, 290.
Manyise, T., Basiita, R., Mwema, C., Oyesola, O., Siriwardena, S., Fregene, B., Cole, S., Dompreh, E., Lam, R., Lozano, D., Rossignoli, C., & Benzie, J. (2024). Farmer perspectives on desired catfish attributes in Nigeria. Aquaculture. 588 (2024) 740911.
Mbaye, T., Fatou, N., Khady, B., Louis, M., & Malick, S. (2022). Effects of inbreeding depression on artificial reproduction in African catfish. International Journal of Aquaculture and Fishery Sciences. 8(2), 045-053.
Moehl, J., Randall, B., Mulonda, K. B., & André, C. (2006). Guiding principles for promoting aquaculture in Africa. CIFA.
Mukaila, R., Ukwuaba, I., & Umaru, I. (2023). Economic impact of disease on small-scale catfish farms in Nigeria. Aquaculture. 575, 739773.
Nayan, A., Mozumder, A., Saha, J., Mahmud, K., Azad, A., & Kibria, M. (2021). Machine learning approach for early detection of fish diseases. Trends in Sciences. 18(21), 351.
Ndashe, K., Hang’ombe, B. M., Changula, K., Yabe, J., Samutela, M. T., Songe, M. M., & Sukkel, M. (2023). Risk factors associated with disease outbreaks across tilapia farms. Fishes, 8(1), 49.
Nur, I., Mk, H., & Acharjee, M. (2020). Bacteriological and physicochemical conditions of fish hatchery water. International Journal of Life Sciences, 8, 262-270.
Nwafili, S. A., & Uchechi-Ibinabo, J. (2023). Survey of catfish hatchery knowledge and practices in Rivers State, Nigeria. Agrobiological Records. 13, 62-70.
Nwakuche, E. I., Akinyoade, O. F., Akalonu, G. C., Oyelade, O. A., & Opowoye, I. O. (2019). Fish farming business in Kwara State. Continental Journal of Sustainable Development, 10(2), 27-34.
Ola-Oladimeji, F. (2021). Population genetics of fast- and slow-growing strains of Clarias gariepinus. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 25, 21-35.
Onyeakagbu, A. (2021, August 22). See how all the 36 states in Nigeria got their names. Pulse Nigeria. https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/see-how-all-the-36-states-in-nigeria-got-their-names/hzl95bk
Opiyo, M., Marijani, E., Muendo, P., Odede, R., Leschen, W., & Charo-Karisa, H. (2018). Review of aquaculture production and health management practices. International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine, 6, 141-148.
Robert, E., Yisa, A., Tsadu, S., & Olayimika, S. (2024). Fecundity studies on Clarias gariepinus. Global Journal of Fisheries Science. 6(4), 112-118.
Saidu, A., Bichi, A., & Dauda, A. (2025). Influence of brooders’ age on reproductive performance of African catfish. Sahel Journal of Life Sciences. 2(1), 1-12.
Srikulnath, K., Panthum, T., Singchat, W., Chaiyes, A., Prasanpan, J., Uno, U., Edem, U., & Obidiegwu, J. (2025). Addressing catfish supply gap in Nigeria. Sustainability. 17(21), 9645.
Tine, M. (2021). Enhancing supply of animal protein through artificial propagation of African catfish. Journal of Aquaculture & Marine Biology. 10(1):13-24.
Wanja, D., Mbuthia, P., Waruiru, R., Mwadime, J., Bebora, L., Nyaga, P., & Ngowi, H. (2020). Fish husbandry practices and water quality in Kenya. Veterinary Medicine International, 2020 (1), 1-10.
Yekaws, S., Burinyuy, V., Ashu, A., Tabe-Agbor, E., Obie, A., Narika, A., Arrey, M., Joseph, E., Makombu, J., Oben, B., Nkongho, G., & Oben, P. (2021). Intra-specific hybridization and larval performance of African catfish. Global Journal of Fisheries Science. 3(3), 27-36.
Author(s) and co-author(s) jointly and severally represent and warrant that the Article is original with the author(s) and does not infringe any copyright or violate any other right of any third parties, and that the Article has not been published elsewhere. Author(s) agree to the terms that the GPH Journal will have the full right to remove the published article on any misconduct found in the published article.
