Koffi Pangni  , Boua Celestin Atse  , N’Guessan Joel Kouassi  , 
    Influence of Broodstock Age on Reproductive Success in the African Catfish <I>Chrysichthys nigrodigitatu</I>s (Claroteidae Lac&eacute;pede, 1803),
    Research Journal of Animal Sciences,
    Volume 2,Issue 5,
    2008,
    Pages 139-143,
    ISSN 1993-5269,
    rjnasci.2008.139.143,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjnasci.2008.139.143)
    Abstract: The influence of female age and size on reproductive success and egg quality was investigated in <I>Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus</I>. Three confined groups were formed following fish age and size during spawning period. The results show that spawning rate increased with female age and size. Spawning rate was similar in 3+ and 4+ females (80 %). But only 50% of 2+ females have spawned. Absolute fecundity of <I>C. nigrodigitatus</I> was higher in 4+ females (9877±386) than in 2+ ones (6939±1024). The 3+ females had an intermediate absolute fecundity (8378±797). Nevertheless, relative fecundity decrease when the age of females increase. Moreover, egg size is positively strength correlated with female age. The 4+ females with a larger body size have produced large size eggs and larvae. Similarly, the hatching rate was higher in 4+ females intermediate in 3+ females and lower in the 2+ ones.
    Keywords: Broodstock age;reproductive success;African catfish;Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus