Response to selection for growth in an interspecific hybrid between Oreochromis mossambicus and O. niloticus in two distinct environments

The development of a saline tolerant tilapia strain able to grow fast is of importance in the Philippines, where 240 000 ha of brackish water ponds are available. To this end, founder hybridization between Oreochromis niloticus (with favorable growth traits) and O. mossambicus (with favorable salinity tolerance traits) was performed and followed by backcrossing with O. mossambicus to develop a strain highly tolerant to saline environments. Genetic selection for growth performance was subsequently conducted. The aim of the present study was to estimate growth performance and survival of the hybrid in two rearing environments following four generations of genetic selection.