In the 1st day, the water is reduced to the minimum, the fresh clean water are run gently into the production tank.
On the 2nd day, the unhatched eggs have to be removed and freshwater continue to run into the production tank.
On the 3rd day, larvae yolk sac would have be exhausted thus, they require feeding, the 1st form of feeding are in the use of artemia -this can be feed to the fish for about 2 weeks, then feed the fry with 0.3mm coppens, then 0.5mm till around 4-6 weeks.
During these periods, the most important issue is the removal or reduction of pollution within the water body.
Also, sorting of the shooter must be done gradually, physically until a point when all the fish can be evacuated and then sorted into their different sizes prior to sales or transfer to a juvenile production tank.
Within 4 weeks a fingerling of about 1g are bred and can be sold for between N6-10 and a production cycle can be up to between 10,000 and 50,000 fingerlings within intensive production.
On the whole, for the benefit of a starter of the business the following checklist should serve as a step by step guide.
HATCHING SET UP
Holding Tank: A wooden vat, a plastic tank or concrete tank of any manageable dimension for practical purpose a 4ft by 4 ft can be used.
BROODSTOCK
Male and female must have the following characteristics.
Male: a. Average age 1 year
Large or medium in size
The external genital must cross the anus
Female: a. The vulva must be reddish or pinkish
Average age of 1 year
On palpation or gentle press the egg must come out, the colour of the egg must be greenish yellow.
Medium size – for egg handling (800-1kg). But larger size can also be used with an assistant.
HATCHING KITS
Saline solution
b. Pituitary gland or ovaprim or derivatives
Hand towel
d. Plastic bowl
Scissors or blade or knife
OTHER ISSUES
Latency period between 9-12 hours at 260c
Spawning should take 24 hours and above
Start feeding from third day and feed sparingly to avoid clog of uneaten food at the bottom of tank that can cause pollution
Feedings of fry should be done at least every 2 hours and sparingly
Change feed size as the fish grow up in sizes
Sort or remove shoot-out fry as they emerge physically.
Frequent change of water is a very important factor for success.
Avoid stress as much as possible.
Removal by siphoning of the bottom clog or sediment.
