Reciprocal Hybrids among Diploid, Tetraploid Dojo Loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, and Large-scale Loach, Paramisgurnus dabryanus: Fertilization, Survival and Growth Performance

To determine the genotype with better traits for aquaculture practices of the loach, factorial crosses were made among diploid (D), tetraploid (T) dojo loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, and large-scale loach, Paramisgurnus dabryanus (P), producing DD, DT, DP, TD, TT, TP, PD, PT, and PP genotypes (female listed first). The growth performance and survival of different genotypes in culture were evaluated through a 48-wk rearing trail. The average fertilization rate in genotypes with P. dabryanus as female parental was significantly higher than those of M. anguillicaudatus as female parental. The average fertilization level of sperm from P. dabryanus was about the same as diploid M. anguillicaudatus but significantly higher than tetraploid M. anguillicaudatus. The highest survival rate was found in DD group (52.77%) and PP group (50.31%) (0.05). The intergenetic crosses between P. dabryanus and M. anguillicaudatus, especially for PD (19.05%), DP (17.89%), and PT (15.44%) groups, exhibited poor survival rates. Under the similar rearing conditions, PP group showed significant growth advantage. Growth rates of the interspecific hybrid progenies were found to be intermediate in comparison with the parental species. According to these results, the PP genotype is more suitable for aquaculture practice.