Morphometric characteristics, survival and growth of hybrids between <i>Claria anguillaris</i> (Linaeus, 1758) and <i>Heterobranchus longifilis </i>(Valenciennes, 1840)

Phenotypic characterisation in interspecific and intergeneric hybrids of the clariid catfishesHeterobranchus longifilis,Clarias gariepinusandClarias anguillarisin Nigeria

“…In some intergeneric hybrids the adipose fin length of C. gariepinus compared favourably with that of the parental Heterobranchus and, with continuous hybridisation, hybrids having adipose fin lengths similar to those of the parental offspring could be produced, thereby making it difficult to identify and separate the hybrids from their parents, especially during breeding exercises (Nlewadim and Omitogun 2005). Attempts to describe the intergeneric cross between C. anguillaris and H. longifilis using their cephalic features have been carried out, but were not detailed, since only a few features including head width, length and width of anterior fontanelle and shape of the nasal groove were examined (Awodiran et al 2000). There has not been any documented report on the morphometric and meristic description of the interspecific hybrids of C. gariepinus and C. anguillaris.…”