Effect of temperature on growth of juvenile Oreochromis mossambicus and Sarotherodon melanotheron

Survival and competitive ability of juvenile fish is often dependent on their growth rate. Temperature is the physical component of their environment which most affects growth rate. To determine the effect of temperature on the growth rate of two exotic warm water species we measured growth of Oreochromis mossambicus and Sarotherodon melanotheron at 25, 30 and 35°C. There was a significant interaction of species and temperature on growth. The growth rate of O. mossambicus was faster than that of S. melanotheron at 25 and 30°C but slower at 35°C. Weight gain of S. melanotheron was significantly greater at 30°C than at 25°C. Weight gain of O. mossambicus at 25 and 30°C was significantly greater than at 35°C. Temperature had no effect on the weight-length relationship of either species.