Monosex culture of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in cage conditionin Seyhan dam lake

An evaluation comperative growth performances of male, female and mixed sex of overwintered Nile tilapia {Oreochromis niloticus) was carried out in triplicate in floating cages over a period of 70 days. The experiment was carried out from June to September 2003. Some growth performances of three groups were examined. Floating pellets were fed at 5% (b.wt. day", 45% crude protein) during the culture period. Water quality and fish growth were monitored weekly. Significant differences in mean body weights between the groups were observed at final harvest (P<0.05). Daily weight gains of males, females and mixed sex groups were 1,872±0,208 g.d"1, 0,602±0,147 g.d"!, and 1.141±0.046 g-d"1 respectively (P<0.05). At the end of the study, male groups have a higher total yield than the other groups (P<0.05). The lowest FCR (1.49±0.07) and the highest yield (5.767±0.65 kg/m3) were obtained from males. According this scores male monosex culture of Nile tilapia more applicable than mixed-culture in cage condition in Seyhan Dam Lake.Keywords: Male tilapia, Monosex, Cage, Growth, Culture.