Genus Heterobranchus can be differentiated from other Clariid catfishes by the presence of large adipose fin that followed its spineless dorsal fin. The family Clariidae is present in African freshwater and extends to Syria, Southern Turkey and South-East Asia (Teugels 1996). Fourteen genera are recognized in the family; Teugels (1986) listed it to contain 12 African genera with 74 species and 3 Asian genera with 18 species (Teugels 1996). Genus Heterobranchus contains four important species namely, H. bidorsalis Geoffroy Saint Hilaire 1809; H. longifilis Valenciennes 1840; H. isopterus Bleeker 1863; and H. boulengeri Pellegrin 1922 (Reed et al. 1967; Teugels et al. 1990; Teugels 1996). The latter species presence in the genus was reported to be of great concern due to some striking different features it possesses compared with its congeners (Agnèse and Teugels 2001). Reed et al. (1967) regarded H. isopterus to be the smallest in the genus and very rare to be found in local waters. Heterobranchus and Clarias are the two most economic important genera in this family.
The species for this study, H. bidorsalis is a highly economic species that performs better than other species in family Clariidae. It is identified from its congeners by the presence of longer dorsal fin compared to its adipose fin with absence of black spot at its tail end. H. longifilis and H. isopterus are characterized with equal lengths of dorsal fin to adipose fin and the two can be distinguished by the absence of black spot at the end of adipose fin of latter while it is present in the former (Reed et al. 1967). The larger size of H. bidorsalis (length = 1.2 m; weight = 30 kg) and its congener species relative to members of the genus Clarias proves that the former has significant potential for aquaculture (Reed et al. 1967). It performs well in captivity by attaining maturity in 10–12 months of domestication but 2–3 years in the wild (Fagbenro et al. 1993; Adebayo and Fagbenro 2004). Also, its meat is of high quality and palatability. However, its intensive aquaculture is limited due to constraints in getting its seed from natural waters that are uneconomical and unrealistic (Adebayo and Olanrewaju 2000; Adebayo and Fagbenro 2004). Moreover, there is generally dearth of knowledge on the biology of this species, H. bidorsalis except fewer studies on its haematological characteristics, nutritional or feeding characteristics, salinity tolerance, digestive enzymes profile, parasite fauna and induced spawning (Fagbenro et al. 1991, 1993; Adebayo and Fagbenro 2004). This is due to the species’ limited availability, breeding constraints of longer timed sexual maturity and short breeding period which is at the peak of rainy season. Though the species has not been listed as endangered but there is risk of extinction because of environmental problems or effect of the breeding sites (Honji et al. 2009, 2012); for example, the species does not breed in the ponds but the fingerlings are sourced at the bank of large rivers (Adebayo and Olanrewaju 2000; Adebayo and Fagbenro 2004). Further threats are anthropogenic activities like the construction of dams, riparian habitat destruction, water pollution and fishing (Honji et al. 2009, 2012; Olaniyi 2014).
The Senate committee on ethics and privileges has suspended its former leader, Ali Ndume for failing to conduct proper investigation before making allegations against the senate president, Bukola Saraki and Dino Melaye. The senate also cleared Saraki and Dino Melaye of any wrongdoing. Here is the Committee's report on statements obtained from Ali Ndume on the alleged imported SUV & Dino's. First Bank To remain true to our name by providing the best financial services possible To remain true to our name by providing the best financial services possible About us.
![Locate First Bank At 95 Obafemi Awolowo Road,p.m.b.2oo3 ,abeokuta Locate First Bank At 95 Obafemi Awolowo Road,p.m.b.2oo3 ,abeokuta](https://i2.wp.com/www.mobileinfoguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/banks-in-Nigeria.jpg?fit=750%2C350&ssl=1)
Limited studies have been conducted on this species for improvement on its breeding (Adebayo and Fagbenro 2004; Agbebi et al. 2005) while few studies on hybridization and growth performance in comparison with other species are just developing (Nlewadim et al. 2004; Akinwande et al. 2009; Ekelemu 2010; Oguguah et al. 2011); and this is attributed to its defined spawning season or non-spontaneous breeding system, reproductive dysfunction, poor technical/breeding knowledge, breeding and/or artificial propagation constraints and very few biological studies. Therefore, embryological studies of this species are essential for improvement on its breeding, aquaculture potentials and biodiversity. The present study aimed to investigate and describe the morphological and chronological developmental stages in the ontogeny and organogenesis of H. bidorsalis.