THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF HYBRID GROUPER (Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂ X E. fuscogutattus ♀) AND TIGER GROUPER (E. fuscogutattus) FINGERLING NURSE IN TANK SYSTEM

Sufian Mustafa and Nik-Haiha Nik Yusoff  
 
Marine Fish Aquaculture Research Division,
FRI Tg Demong, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia
sufnor96@yahoo.com
 

Generally, this study aimed to investigate the difference performance of tiger grouper (E. fuscogutattus ♀) and hybrid grouper (E. lanceolatus ♂ x E. fuscogutattus ♀). Experiment was carried out for duration of 8 weeks. The fries of both tiger grouper and hybrid grouper were nursed until 100 DAH. Fast grower fish without abnormality were selected from both group for the experiment. About 100 fingerlings were place in each of the six 3m³-fiberglass tank. Sampling were done every 2 weeks until fish attained average 80gm body weight.

Abnormality were observed highest in pure tiger grouper 33.74 % compared to hybrid grouper 0% (P<0.01). The survival rate between tiger grouper and hybrid grouper were 93% and 98.67% respectively (P>0.01). The Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Relative Weight Gain (RWG) and Weight Gain (WG) of the hybrid was higher compared to the tiger grouper. Abnormality in tiger grouper seed may be due to inbreeding. The hybrid grouper has an advantage because it reduces risk due to inbreeding in aquaculture.  Fast growth hybrids in needed to shortened the culture period and reduce losses in production.