DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajb.2026.v14i09.007

Pages: 641-647

The red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) is a new species introduced into fish farming in sub-Saharan Africa to diversify cultured species and ensure a sustainable supply of fishery products for the population. However, knowledge regarding the quality of the species' eggs and fry, as well as the physicochemical conditions favorable to their development, remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate egg characteristics, hatching and fry survival performance, and water physicochemical parameters. Sixteen broodstock individuals (12 females and 4 males), maintained at a sex ratio of one male to three females, were used. The eggs had a mean diameter of 0.49 ± 0.06 mm, a mean longitudinal axis of 1.60 ± 0.15 mm, and a mean mass of 10.10 ± 0.90 mg. The coefficients of variation are relatively low: 13.3% for diameter, 8.79% for the longitudinal axis, and 8.88% for egg mass. Fertilization and hatching rates were 90% and 95.1%, respectively. After one month of rearing, the produced fry had a mean length of 10.05 ± 3.28 mm, a width of 2.75 ± 0.12 mm, a mean mass of 4.67 ± 1.25 g, a mean daily weight gain of 0.137 ± 0.05 g/day, and a survival rate of 83.33%. Mean values for temperature, oxygen, pH, total dissolved solids, and electrical conductivity were 28.57 ± 1.61°C, 3.25 ± 0.41, 9.31 ± 0.54, 135.75 ± 1.88 mg/L, and 170.16 ± 9.34 µS/cm, respectively. These results demonstrate that the red hybrid tilapia exhibits good reproductive performance and confirm its potential for juvenile production in Ivorian aquaculture.