A review of biology, ecology and prospect for aquaculture of Parachanna obscura

Parachanna obscura is the most common African Channidae. Various studies are being conducted on its biology and ecology. It lives in fresh water in quiet and muddy areas. It has accessory respiratory organs allowing it to live in hypoxic environment. It has a varied diet and feeds on fish, remains o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Reviews in fish biology and fisheries 2013-03, Vol.23 (1), p.41-50
Main Authors: Kpogue, Diane N. S., Mensah, Guy A., Fiogbe, Emile D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquaculture
Biology
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Channidae
Conservation biology
Creeks & streams
Detritus
Ecology
Extensive farming
Farming
Farming systems
Fish
Fisheries
Freshwater & Marine Ecology
Freshwater ecology
Hypoxia
Larvae
Life Sciences
Parachanna obscura
Reviews
Studies
Zoology
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Summary:Parachanna obscura is the most common African Channidae. Various studies are being conducted on its biology and ecology. It lives in fresh water in quiet and muddy areas. It has accessory respiratory organs allowing it to live in hypoxic environment. It has a varied diet and feeds on fish, remains of fish, insects, other invertebrates and plant detritus. It is a species with iteroparous asynchronous oogenesis which breeds throughout the year but much more during and just after the flood. It size at first maturity is 24.5 cm. Eggs and larvae of P. obscura are yellow and guarded by one or both parents. Hardiness, rapid growth, high tasty flesh and commercial value of this species represent significant aquaculture potentiality. Natural stocks of P. obscura are overexploited and are not sufficient to met local demands. Its extensive farming system has already started in some African countries. Successful farming of this species in intensive systems and semi—intensive can help not only to preserve and enhance natural stocks of P. obscura but also to continuously produce fingerlings remediation technologies for direct human consumption.
ISSN:0960-3166
1573-5184
DOI:10.1007/s11160-012-9281-7