Tereso A. Abella, Jose S. Abucay, Ruben C. Sevilleja, and Graham C. Mair
1 College of Fisheries, Central Luzon State University
Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
2 Freshwater Aquaculture Center. Central Luzon State University
Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
3 School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales Swansea, U.K.
Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok
http://doi.org/10.57043/transnastphl.2001.5115
Abstract
The birth of the “supermale tilapia” has significantly contributed to freshwater aquaculture in the Philippines. This technology is the result of a breeding program for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), combining sex-reversal and progeny testing to produce the novel ‘YY’ male genotype, with the objective of producing an all-male tilapia population known as the genetically male tilapia (GMT). YY-males, when mated to XX females, produced a mean progeny sex ratio of 95% male. The GMT, the product of the technology, has shown better growth performance in grow-out ponds and other production facilities. The technology has proven to be an effective means of controlling unwanted reproduction in tilapia and overcrowding in ponds. This technology has been commercialized and has benefited tilapia farmers.