Recruitment control and production of market‐size Oreochromis niloticus with the predator Lates niloticus L. in the Sudan

Experiments were conducted in earth ponds (242–1260m2) to evaluate the Nile perch (Lates niloticus L.) as a predator for recruitment control and the production of marketable Oreochromis niloticus L. in the Sudan. Supply of the predatory fish was maintained by induced spawning of L. niloticus brooders by raising the water level in a 1–0 ha earth pond. Lates niloticus fingerlings (7–5 cm total length) were then stocked with same size O. niloticus at the ratios 1:5, 1:10 and 1:15, Lates:Oreochromis, respectively. Over a period of 7 months Lates niloticus reduced young 50g) Oreochromis population and enhanced the production of preferred‐size ( 200 g) Oreochromis. The ratio 1:5 Lates:Oreochromis was established to be the most desirable for Lates‐with a total production of 0.2428 kg/m2 of O. niloticus with 55.7% (by weight) at the target size averaging 287.5g. The ratios 1:10 and 1:15 produced 0.2106 and 0.2153 kg m2 of O. niloticus, with 49.4% and 16.9% averaging 235.0 and 210.0 g, respectively.