Breeding plan for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Vietnam: combined multi-trait selection

Total freshwater aquaculture production in Vietnam in 1995 was about 300 000 tons and total brackish water aquaculture production was about 115 000 tons. Total tilapia production was about 15 000 tons, mainly produced in fresh water. Until now, most of the production has been based on Mozambique tilapia, that was introduced in Vietnam in 1951 and after the introduction of Nile tilapia from Taiwan in 1973, also on hybrids between Mozambique and Nile tilapia. Because of the small size of the fish at sexual maturation, when the fish has to be harvested, the consumers' demand for tilapia has been limited. Recent experiences with culture of Nile tilapia after the reintroduction in 1994 of the GIFT, Thai and Egypt strains have been encouraging.