Abstract
The effects of different hormones on the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus were investigated. A total of eight broodstocks weighing between 500 and 900g (4 males and 4 females) were selected for artificial spawning using different treatments of hormonal dosage of Ovaprim, coconut water, mixture of coconut water and ovaprim and control (0.30ml/kg-0.26ml/kg and 0.00ml/kg) respectively in replicates. The result shows that the mean weight of egg stripped was higher in fish injected with coconut water + ovaprim with 80g. Mortality was highest in first seven days in fish treated with ovaprim (73), seven to fourteen days in fish treated with coconut water (60) and in twenty-first to thirtieth days in fish eggs stripped from fish treated with coconut water+ovaprim (5). Fry from the fish treated with coconut water+ovaprim had highest initial weight gain, final weight gain and weight gain of 1.44±0.91, 12.31±9.30, and 10.87±2.89 respectively. There is significant different in the initial weight, final weight and weight gain of the fry (P<0.05). Fry from the fish treated with coconut water +ovaprim had highest in ADG, SGR, FCR, and PER with 0.36g, 0.07g, 0.20g, and 0.21g. Dissolved oxygen was between 5.8 and 7.8mg/L, 22.5 and 27.80C, and 7.25 and 7.33. It can be concluded that uses of coconut water+ovarprim at 50% mixture is adequate to improve growth performance of the fry which will also minimize the cost of seed production.

Key words: Ovaprim, Coconut water, Clarias gariepinus, growth, performance.