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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Mrs. Gominan S, Gangbazo H, Drs Adité A, Abou Y, Imorou TI, Henrotte E. and Professor Sakiti N who helped us to acquire the necessary documentation for writing this article.

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  1. Unité de Recherches sur les Zones Humides, Département de Zoologie et Génétique, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, B.P. 526, Cotonou, Benin

    Diane N. S. Kpogue & Emile D. Fiogbe

  2. Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin, Centre de Recherches Agricoles d’Agonkanmey.01 BP 884. Recette Principale, Cotonou 01, Benin

    Guy A. Mensah

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  1. Diane N. S. Kpogue
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Kpogue, D.N.S., Mensah, G.A. & Fiogbe, E.D. A review of biology, ecology and prospect for aquaculture of Parachanna obscura . Rev Fish Biol Fisheries 23, 41–50 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-012-9281-7

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