Work

Hatchability and growth performance of F1, F2, and backcross progenies of Epinephelus bruneus and Epinephelus lanceolatus

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In recent years, the aquaculture of hybrid groupers has gained popularity due to their favourable traits, such as superior growth and enhanced disease resistance compared to purebred species. In Japan, the hybrid grouper Kue-Tama (KT), a crossbreed of Epinephelus bruneus (LG) eggs and Epinephelus lanceolatus (GG) sperm, has emerged as a promising target for aquaculture. However, the sustainable production of KT seedlings is hindered by low egg hatching rates. In this study, we obtained eggs from KT reared in a subtropical region of Japan and conducted breeding experiments involving KT and GG to produce KT × KT (F 2 ) and KT × GG (BC 1 ) backcross hybrids. Direct comparison experiments revealed that the viable hatching rate of BC 1 was ten times higher than that of KT, at 7.5 ± 4.3% and 0.7 ± 1.3%, respectively. During 7 months of juvenile rearing, both BC 1 and KT exhibited comparable growth performance, significantly outperforming F 2 , with markedly better feed efficiency and specific growth rates. The weight gain ratio of BC 1 (227.8 ± 70.0%) was 1.9 times greater than that of F 2 (119.3 ± 20.4%) and similar to that of KT (214.8 ± 15.5%). These findings suggest that the BC 1 hybrid could be a valuable species for aquaculture, offering greater hatching success and growth performance than KT.

Source: Aquaculture International

DOI: 10.1007/s10499-025-01968-z

Authors: Ryuichiro Aoki, Tomoki Matsumasa, Tatsuya Kumada, Naoto Jin, Shukei Masuma

Institution: Kindai University

Language: English

Topic: Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth

Subfield: Aquatic Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,990