AFRICAN LUNGFISH Protopterus aethiopicus IN UGANDA: CAPTIVE BREEDING AND LARVAL REARING

J. Walakira*, C. Aruho, B. Kimera, E. Ganda, L. Nakasiga, J. Molnar, B. Readings and R. Borski
 
National Fisheries Resources Research Institute, Uganda.
Email: johnwalakira2003@gmail.com
 

The African lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) supports many communities in Uganda, and has aquaculture potential in the East African region. It's an air-breathing fish that withstands stressful water quality conditions in the wild. Fish farmers access seed from natural environments, which is not environmentally and economically sustainable. This study uncovers the genetic diversity of P. aethiopicus collected from Lakes Wamala, Kyoga, Nawampasa, Bisina, Edward and George, and a total of putative 1,437 SNPs are generated to inform its future breeding programs. Captive breeding trails reveal fertilized lungfish eggs hatch at a range of 24-32C but optimally at 27C. Hatchability in captivity is 21.7 ± 7.2 % (SD) while the mean fecundity of wild lungfish brood =1922.41 ±1227.6. A combination of salt (0.5g/L) and temperature enhance its hatchability. Larvae fed on decapsulated Artemia sp. and microdiet (35-57% Crude Protein) at 18-20 DAH improves growth and survival rates. This study generates information that guides the domestication of African lungfish in the region, and will improve nutrition and livelihoods of vulnerable communities.