Anatomical Determination of Testes Position in African Mudfish (Clarias gariepinus) as a Guide to Harvest Milt Using Syringe Without Sacrificing the Fish

Fish breeding in captive has greatly improved over the years but the males are still being sacrificed or operated on before milt is harvested hence, the need to illustrate possibility of using syringe to obtain the milt without sacrificing the fish in order to end the huge economic losses. To achieve this, the body and anatomical measurements as well as anatomical depth of the testes were examined in 81 male African Mudfish (Clarias gariepinus) at 4, 6 and 8mths of age. The results revealed 0.79 – 1.0kg, 37.0 – 41.2cm and 42.9 – 47.2cm as body weight, standard body length and total body length respectively. It was also shown that testes length, testicular fringes and pectoral fin length values ranged from 3.89 – 5.08cm, 8.67 – 11.33 lobes and 4.96 – 5.09cm respectively. More significantly, the testes anatomical depth values varied from 2.07 – 3.5cm irrespective of the angle of syringe insertion and the fish position. Consequently, male African Mudfish (Clarias gariepinus) may be sexually matured at 4mths of age and angular syringe insertion may not restrict milts accessibility in situ when Facedown (dorsal), Sideways (lateral) or Faceup (ventral).