Based on a number of attributes, the African sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus is an ideal aquaculture species. Much work has been undertaken on developing the technology for the commercial culture of the species inclusive of determining the nutritional requirements for cost effective feed formulation. However, digestible energy (DE) values for specific feed ingredients were unknown. As DE values are not interchangeable between species, this study set out to determine the DE values for conventional and unconventional feed-ingredients for the formulation of an optimal feed. The ultimate goal in feed formulation is to produce a diet that supports the maximum production at the least cost. The indirect method was found to be most suitable in obtaining DE values for the catfish. Feed samples were marked by adding 2% chromic oxide as an inert indicator. The fish were then force-fed and faecal samples were obtained from the hindgut by stripping the fish 10 hours after feeding as this was found to be when the hind-gut was at its fullest and the feed maximally digested. A linear based computer programme was used to formulate experimental diets using the established DE values as an additional variable. The formulated feed was tested and compared to a commercial catfish diet and a standard reference diet (H-440). All of the newly formulated feeds were found to be cheaper to manufacture (by between 5 and 10%). Statistically (ANOVA), all of the experimental diets resulted in higher specific growth rates (SGR) than the standard reference diet. The commercial diet also resulted in a lower SGR than those experimental diets with similar protein levels.

M.Sc. / There has been an increasing concern worldwide regarding the possible adverse effects of pharmaceutical supplements present in our aquatic ecosystems and whether or not they modify or alter physiological functioning in humans and wildlife. Trenbolone acetate (TBA) for example, is a commonly used androgenic anabolic steroid used in the production of cattle. TBA is metabolized into trenbolone-β and excreted as both trenbolone-α and -β. In liquid manure trenbolone-β has a half-life of over 270 days. Therefore if released into the surrounding environment there could be severe ecological impacts. The aim of this study was to determine the physiological effects of hormones used as growth stimulants in cattle production on the Sharptooth Catfish - Clarias gariepinus. The growth stimulants assessed in this study included; Trenbolone acetate, Methyltestosterone, Diethylstilbestrol and Zeranol. The aim was pursued with the use of three biomarker assays - Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), Uridine-Diphosphate Glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) and Cellular Energy Allocation (CEA). Fish were exposed under controlled conditions for a period of 5, ten and 15 days respectively using a flow-through system. Testes were removed and standard histological techniques were employed. Selected target organs were removed and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C until needed for biomarker analysis.The results obtained from the gonado-somatic Index (GSI) showed that there were no significant differences (p<0.05). The hepato-somatic index (HSI) increased throughout all the different exposure groups. The histological assessment showed no significant alterations in the cell structure of the testes. With regards to the biomarkers used, CEA reflected changes in both the energy available and the energy consumed by the test organisms during the exposures. A common trend was observed throughout the different exposures. A change would occur after the ten day exposure period however a recovery would be made after 15 days of exposure. Both GST and UDPGT reflected increased activity in the liver with GST reflecting a significant difference (p<0.05) between the control and the exposure groups, however GST activity in the kidneys were not affected. To conclude, further studies will be needed to determine whether or not these growth stimulants will have a significant effect at higher concentrations and over longer exposure periods.

The Rietvlei Dam near Pretoria, South Africa, provides drinking water for the city and for the wild life in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, and is also used for recreational fishing. The dam is part of the Sesmyl Spruit system, which has a history of pollution, the major sources of which are industrial, agricultural and sewage from informal human settlements upstream of the reserve. With a large wetland separating the upstream Marais Dam and the Rietvlei Dam, the system has a high conservation priority status because of the high number of bird species that breed and roost in the various habitats. As part of a big aquatic health project in the Zoology Department, Rand Afrikaans University, aimed at finding suitable biomarkers for water quality monitoring in the system, this study was done to identify the major internal helminth parasites of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus, that can be used in fish health assessment studies, and to determine their prevalence and intensity in the Rietvlei Dam. Fish were collected during one sampling survey and examined for endoparasites, also noting any ectoparasites that are recorded in routine fish health studies. Five species of helminths were identified: the adult cestodes, Polyonchobothrium clarias (intestine and stomach), Proteocephalus glanduliger (anterior intestine), the adult nematode Procamallanus laevionchus (stomach), larvae of the nematode Contracaecum sp. and many trematode metacercariae encysted in the muscles, of which only Ornithodiplostomum sp. was successfully excysted and identified. This trematode is recorded in South Africa for the first time, but could not be specifically identified because the reproductive system was still immature. Examination of piscivorous birds in the area or experimental infection of young birds are the only means by which the adult trematodes can be obtained. The adult cestodes and nematodes had specialised structures for attachment to the stomach and/or intestinal mucosa, adaptations associated with pathological effects in the host. Polyonchobothrium clarias had a crown of 26-30 hooks on its rostellum, and this number differs from those of specimens described from catfish in other African countries. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the rostellum of the P. clarias specimens from Rietvlei Dam was different from that of specimens from other localities in South Africa. Proteocephalus glanduliger in C. gariepinus from Rietvlei Dam differed in strobila size and size of glandular organ from specimens described by Janicki (Egypt) and Mashego (South Africa), the present specimens being much longer but with smaller glandular organs. Procamallanus laevionchus is a common parasite of catfish from many African countries, including South Africa, and scanning electron microscopy showed some form of transverse markings and presence of papillae-like structures at the posterior end of female specimens, an observation which was not described in previous studies. Larval Contracaecum are also common in C. gariepinus and other fish species, and adults have been identified in several species of fish-eating birds from South Africa. The sample size of fish collected in this survey was too low for a full health assessment index (HAI) study to be undertaken. Polyonchobothrium clarias and Contracaecum, however, were highly prevalent in the host species, and Contracaecum and Ornithodiplostomum occurred at high intensity (up to 44 and 140 respectively). Endoparasites of C. gariepinus can therefore be used in the fish HAI as a bioindicator of water quality. Only two ectoparasitic species were found on C. gariepinus: Argulus japonicus (skin and fins) and Lamproglena clariae (gills). Most water quality variables from the dam were within the target limits recommended by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, but the levels of inorganic nitrogen (nitrate and ammonia) and phosphorus (orthophosphate) exceeded the limit. If uncontrolled, these may lead to eutrophication of the dam. With the parasite species and diversity known, it is recommended that fish health assessments should be conducted along pollution gradients in the system to determine whether it can be incorporated into the suite of biomarkers for water quality monitoring of the Sesmyl Spruit system. / Prof. A. Avent-Oldewage

M.Sc. / A lot of research in ecotoxicology is currently focused on identifying and developing suitable biomarkers for use in assessing the health of aquatic systems. Thus this study was done as part of a major project aimed at identifying and selecting suitable biomarkers to use in the Rietvlei System, South Africa. This study focused on the response of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) to contaminants using three biomarkers: population genetic structure, DNA damage and metallothioneins (MT¡¦s). The main objectives of the study were to assess the potential of these biomarkers in C. gariepinus and to provide baseline data on the Rietvlei System. Eighteen enzyme loci (creatine kinase (Ck), esterase (Est), phosphoglucomutase (Pgm), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3pdh-1 and -2), glucose-6-phosphatase isomerase (Gpi-A and -B), L-lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh-A and B), malate dehydrogenase (sMdh-1, -2 and -3), malate dehydrogenase (NADP+) (Mdhp), phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (Pgdh), isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP+) (Idh); superoxide dismutase (Sod), and peptidase: substrate (leucyl tryrosine) (Pep-S1 and -2)) were screened for by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. An agarose gel electrophoretic method was used for DNA damage determination and a spectrophotometric method for metallothionein. The Rietvlei System population (RSP) showed higher genetic variability as shown by the average number of alleles per locus (A), proportion of polymorphic loci (P) and expected average heterozygosity (HE) than the reference populations. Statistically significant deviations (p < 0.05) from Hardy-Weinberg proportions associated with heterozygote deficiencies occurred at Gpi-B, Idh, Pgdh, Ldh-A and Pep-S1 for RSP. These deviations could have been a result of small sample size. There was high genetic differentiation between RSP and the reference populations with FST values of 0.450 and 0.480 between RSP and wild population (WP) and RSP and Northern Cape population (NCP) respectively. A mean base-pair length of 6770.9 „b 10.68 (SE) bp was recorded in the Marais Dam population (MDP) that of 6327.2 „b 17.69 (SE) bp was recorded in the Rietvlei Dam population (RDP). The MDP had a higher proportion of DNA fragments with low base-pair lengths than RP indicating a higher level of DNA damage. The level of DNA damage in the MP was higher than in the RDP. The mean MT¡¦s content was 3.63 „b 0.643 (SE) nmol g-1 wet weight in the MDP and 4.35 „b 0.580 (SE) nmol g-1 wet weight in the RDP. There was no significant (p = 0.40) difference in the levels of MT¡¦s between the two dams. It was concluded that there were significant differences in genetic diversity between RSP and the other populations in unpolluted sites; hence genetic diversity in C. gariepinus has potential as biomarker of pollution. However, further research is recommended to investigate possible contributing factors to differences in genetic diversity such as inter-sex males, geographical isolation and differences in sample sizes used. DNA damage is also a potential biomarker provided due care is taken in interpreting average base-pair length data to consider differences in each DNA size class. It seems further research is required before conclusions are made about use of MT¡¦s as biomarker in this population. The levels of MT¡¦s in other uncontaminated systems will be useful to determine whether the levels recorded in this study are background levels or responses to contamination. / Prof. F.H. van der Bank

The aim of this study was to evaluate the aquaculture potential of a hybrid between the two largest African silurid catfish, Heterobranchus longifilis (HL) and Clarias gariepinus (CG) . A morphometric, meristic and karyological study showed that the hybrid shared some of the physical characteristics of both C. gariepinus and H. longifilis, while its chromosome complement and fundamental number (2N = 54, FN = 95), was intermediate between that of H. longifilis (2N = 52, FN = 92) and C. gariepinus (2N = 56, FN = 97). The HLxCG cross could therefore be regarded as a true hybrid. For the characters tested, no morphological or karyological differences were apparent between the HLxCG hybrids produced in West Africa and those produced in southern Africa. In southern Africa, the HL♂xCG♀ cross had higher fertilization and hatching rates than pure strain H. longifilis, C. gariepinus or the reverse cross. There was no difference in the survival of the HL♂xCG♀ hybrid larvae and C. gariepinus larvae up to the onset of exogenous feeding. Pure strain H. longifilis juveniles had a faster growth rate than the H. longifilis ♂ x C. gariepinus ♀ juveniles, but the hybrid always grew at a faster rate than C. gariepinus or the reverse cross. The HL♂xCG♀ cross was consequently chosen as the hybrid with the greatest potential for siluroid aquaculture in southern Africa. The HL♂xCG♀ hybrid showed evidence of partial gonadic, gametic and post-zygotic sterility in both sexes. The hybrid was not completely sterile, as it was artificially induced to spawn, and a small number of viable F₂ hybrid and F₁ hybrid x C. gariepinus larvae were produced. However, in the light of its probable reproductive strategy, it is highly unlikely that the hybrid would pose an ecological risk to the southern African region. The H. longifilis ♂ x C. gariepinus ♀ hybrid was compared to C. gariepinus for selected water quality preferences and tolerances. The hybrid had a wider temperature preference (28 °C to 34 °C) than C. gariepinus (28 °C to 30 °C), but appeared to be more dependent on aerial respiration than C. gariepinus. The air-breathing frequency of hybrid fish began to increase at dissolved oxygen concentrations below 3 .8 mg.ℓ⁻¹, while C. gariepinus only showed an increase in air-breathing frequency at concentrations below 3.0 mg.ℓ¹. The hybrid was more tolerant of un-ionised ammonia (96-hour LC₅₀ = 9.1 mg.ℓ⁻¹) than C. gariepinus (96-hour LC₅₀ = 6.5 mg.ℓ⁻¹), but their 96-hour LC₅₀ salinity tolerances were similar (10.8-11.0 g.ℓ⁻¹). The H. longifilis ♂ x C. gariepinus ♀ hybrid had a higher fillet yield (43.9 %) than C. gariepinus (38.9 %), but the crude protein content and amino acid profile of the two groups were similar. Catfish are traditionally grown in earthen ponds under semi-intensive conditions in southern Africa, at around 4 kg of fish per cubic meter of water (kg.m⁻³). However, the hybrid could tolerate densities of up to 415 kg of fish per cubic metre of water, if the water was exchanged hourly (kg.m⁻³.hr⁻¹), and the density at which yield was optimised was rounded off to 400 kg.m³.hr⁻¹. The high threshold density and water quality tolerances of the H. longifilis ♂ x C. gariepinus ♀ hybrid indicates that it is ideally suited for highly intensive aquaculture. It was concluded that it would be more productive to farm the HL♂xCG♀ hybrid on an intensive basis in southern Africa, than it would be to farm C. gariepinus in the traditional manner.

Ph.D. / Female adult specimens of Lamproglena clariae attach to gill filaments of freshwater fish of the family Clariidae, penetrate the gill tissue and consume blood. Previously, studies have been done on the taxonomy of this parasite, but little research has been published on biological aspects. Hence, it was the aim of this study to determine and record L. clariae’s aspects of biology such as ecology, life cycle and pathology. The study was conducted through both field and laboratory observations with specimens collected from the Vaal Dam and Vaal River Barrage. A positive correlation was observed between the host's physical dimensions and the size of the parasite, parasites from both sites preferred the fourth gill and the median part of the gill arch for attachment. There was no significant host gender preference by parasites. Three free living nauplius stages, four copepodite, a cyclopoid and adult stages were recorded as life stages of this parasite. Observations suggested that development of larval stages of L. clariae is influenced by both photoperiod and temperatures. Furthermore low infestation success of the experimental fish was observed. This parasite caused localised infestation as varying degrees of swelling of gill filaments were observed only in the vicinity of its attachment site. Histological examination revealed epithelial hyperplasia, resulting in fusion of gill lamellae and necrosis of the host tissue in the vicinity of the parasite. No correlation exists between the infestation intensity and fish haematocrit values. Although L. clariae causes localized infestation, high intensity of infestation may be detrimental to the fish. Hyperplasia of epithelial tissue resulting in fusion of lamellae would result in restriction of oxygen passage and thus hinder the process of respiration of the host. / Prof. A. Avenant-Oldewage

D.Sc. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Sc. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

A carne mecanicamente separada (CMS) de pescado é um produto obtido a partir de uma única espécie, ou mistura de espécies de peixes através do processo de separação mecanizada da parte comestível. O bagre africano (Clarias gariepinus) é produzido principalmente nos países africanos e europeus e recentemente foi introduzido na Índia, China e Brasil, destinados exclusivamente ao consumo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter e caracterizar a CMS de bagre africano e avaliar sua estabilidade durante o armazenamento a -18°C. Foi determinado o rendimento do processo de obtenção da CMS e a estabilidade foi acompanhada por seis meses com relação a aspectos microbiológicos e físico-químicos (TBARS, BVT, pH e drip), de três tratamentos (A - CMS sem lavar, B - CMS com uma lavagem e C - CMS com duas lavagens). No início e após 90 e 180 dias de armazenamento sob congelamento, as CMS foram utilizadas para elaboração de fishburgers, os quais foram avaliados microbiológica e sensorialmente. A lavagem promoveu mudanças na composição centesimal da CMS, principalmente o aumento do teor de umidade e diminuição dos teores de proteína bruta. Durante o período de estocagem, as CMS mantiveram-se estáveis independentemente da lavagem. Foi observado rendimento da CMS, de aproximadamente 50% em relação ao peixe inteiro. A CMS com duas lavagens apresentou maior umidade (84,26%) que as CMS com uma lavagem (78,52%) e sem lavar (78,42%), ocorrendo também perda de proteína, lipídeos e cinzas, pela lixiviação desses compostos. Os teores de BVT mantiveram-se estáveis durante o período de armazenamento diferindo apenas entre os tratamentos, sendo que a CMS sem lavar apresentou maior valor médio (15,79 mg BVT/100g) que as CMS com uma (5,46 mg BVT/100g) e duas lavagens (2,61mg/100g). No dia zero, o maior valor de TBARS foi encontrado na CMS sem lavar (0,216 mg malonaldeído/kg), ao passo que nas CMS com 1 e 2 lavagens os valores foram respectivamente de 0,083 e 0,099 mg malonaldeído/kg, indicando que a lavagem causou lixiviação da maior parte dos compostos responsáveis pela oxidação lipídica. A legislação brasileira não indica um limite de oxidação lipídica avaliado pelo método de TBARS para CMS de pescado, porém os valores encontrados no final do período de estocagem (0,405; 0,511 e 0,420 mg malonaldeído/kg) para as CMS sem lavar, com 1 e 2 lavagens respectivamente são baixos e indicam pouca oxidação. Os parâmetros microbiológicos da CMS e do fishburger se mantiveram de acordo com a legislação brasileira. Os fishburgers foram muito bem aceitos pelos provadores e o fishburger elaborado com CMS com uma lavagem foi melhor avaliado quanto à aceitação global. As pequenas alterações ocorridas durante o período de armazenamento não afetaram a qualidade da CMS, indicando viabilidade para formulação de produtos com CMS estocada congelada por 180 dias. O processamento de bagre africano na forma de CMS pode ser uma alternativa para aproveitamento de uma espécie sub-utilizada, gerando produtos da piscicultura com valor agregado. / Minced fish (CMS) is a product obtained from only or sereral fish species through the mechanical separation of edible section. African catfish is produced mainly in African and european countries and recently was introduced in India, China and Brazil, destined exclusively to comsumption. The aim of the present study was obtain and characterize the african catfish minced and evaluate the stability during the period of storage under -18°C. Minced fish process yield was determinated and the stability was measured for six months concerning microbiological and physico-chemical analysis (TBARS, BVT, pH and drip), from three treatments (A CMS unwashed, B CMS washed once and C CMS washed twice). The beginning and after 90 and 180 days of frozen storage, the CMS was utilized for preparation of fishburger, that was evaluated for microbiological and sensorial analysis. The CMS washing process promoted changes in centesimal composition, mainly the increase of the moisture and decrease of total protein. During the storage period, the CMS kept the stability apart of washing process. The minced fish process yield was approximately 50% respecting whole fish. The CMS washed twice showed higher moisture (84,26%) than the CMS washed once (78,52%) and CMS unwashed (78,42%), occuring waste of protein, lipid and ash, by washing. During the storage, the BVT kept stable, disagree between the treatments, and the CMS unwashed exhibit higher mean value (15,79 mg BVT/100g) than CMS washed once (5,46 mg BVT/100g) and CMS washed twice (2,61mg/100g). At the zero day, the bigger value of TBARS was determinated in CMS unwashed (0,216 mg malonaldeído/kg), but in CMS washed once and twice, the values was 0,083 e 0,099 mg malonaldeído/kg respectively, signify that the washing process induced removal the majority part of compounds responsible by the lipidic oxidation. The Brazilian legislation do not indicate a limit of CMS lipid oxidation evaluated by TBARS method, however the values at the end of the storage (0,405; 0,511 e 0,420 mg malonaldeído/kg) for CMS without, with one and with two washing are low and indicate low oxidation. The CMS and the fishburger microbiological parameters kept agreed with Brazilian legislation. The fishburgers was accepted by the samplers and the fishburger elaborated with CMS washed once was better evaluated to general acceptability. The changes occured during the period of storage have not affect on CMS quality, indicating availability to products formulated by CMS with 180 days of frozen storage. The CMS process of african catfish can be a alternative to employment of a specie under-utilized, creating aquaculture products with aggregated value.

A carne mecanicamente separada (CMS) de pescado é um produto obtido a partir de uma única espécie, ou mistura de espécies de peixes através do processo de separação mecanizada da parte comestível. O bagre africano (Clarias gariepinus) é produzido principalmente nos países africanos e europeus e recentemente foi introduzido na Índia, China e Brasil, destinados exclusivamente ao consumo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter e caracterizar a CMS de bagre africano e avaliar sua estabilidade durante o armazenamento a -18°C. Foi determinado o rendimento do processo de obtenção da CMS e a estabilidade foi acompanhada por seis meses com relação a aspectos microbiológicos e físico-químicos (TBARS, BVT, pH e drip), de três tratamentos (A - CMS sem lavar, B - CMS com uma lavagem e C - CMS com duas lavagens). No início e após 90 e 180 dias de armazenamento sob congelamento, as CMS foram utilizadas para elaboração de fishburgers, os quais foram avaliados microbiológica e sensorialmente. A lavagem promoveu mudanças na composição centesimal da CMS, principalmente o aumento do teor de umidade e diminuição dos teores de proteína bruta. Durante o período de estocagem, as CMS mantiveram-se estáveis independentemente da lavagem. Foi observado rendimento da CMS, de aproximadamente 50% em relação ao peixe inteiro. A CMS com duas lavagens apresentou maior umidade (84,26%) que as CMS com uma lavagem (78,52%) e sem lavar (78,42%), ocorrendo também perda de proteína, lipídeos e cinzas, pela lixiviação desses compostos. Os teores de BVT mantiveram-se estáveis durante o período de armazenamento diferindo apenas entre os tratamentos, sendo que a CMS sem lavar apresentou maior valor médio (15,79 mg BVT/100g) que as CMS com uma (5,46 mg BVT/100g) e duas lavagens (2,61mg/100g). No dia zero, o maior valor de TBARS foi encontrado na CMS sem lavar (0,216 mg malonaldeído/kg), ao passo que nas CMS com 1 e 2 lavagens os valores foram respectivamente de 0,083 e 0,099 mg malonaldeído/kg, indicando que a lavagem causou lixiviação da maior parte dos compostos responsáveis pela oxidação lipídica. A legislação brasileira não indica um limite de oxidação lipídica avaliado pelo método de TBARS para CMS de pescado, porém os valores encontrados no final do período de estocagem (0,405; 0,511 e 0,420 mg malonaldeído/kg) para as CMS sem lavar, com 1 e 2 lavagens respectivamente são baixos e indicam pouca oxidação. Os parâmetros microbiológicos da CMS e do fishburger se mantiveram de acordo com a legislação brasileira. Os fishburgers foram muito bem aceitos pelos provadores e o fishburger elaborado com CMS com uma lavagem foi melhor avaliado quanto à aceitação global. As pequenas alterações ocorridas durante o período de armazenamento não afetaram a qualidade da CMS, indicando viabilidade para formulação de produtos com CMS estocada congelada por 180 dias. O processamento de bagre africano na forma de CMS pode ser uma alternativa para aproveitamento de uma espécie sub-utilizada, gerando produtos da piscicultura com valor agregado. / Minced fish (CMS) is a product obtained from only or sereral fish species through the mechanical separation of edible section. African catfish is produced mainly in African and european countries and recently was introduced in India, China and Brazil, destined exclusively to comsumption. The aim of the present study was obtain and characterize the african catfish minced and evaluate the stability during the period of storage under -18°C. Minced fish process yield was determinated and the stability was measured for six months concerning microbiological and physico-chemical analysis (TBARS, BVT, pH and drip), from three treatments (A CMS unwashed, B CMS washed once and C CMS washed twice). The beginning and after 90 and 180 days of frozen storage, the CMS was utilized for preparation of fishburger, that was evaluated for microbiological and sensorial analysis. The CMS washing process promoted changes in centesimal composition, mainly the increase of the moisture and decrease of total protein. During the storage period, the CMS kept the stability apart of washing process. The minced fish process yield was approximately 50% respecting whole fish. The CMS washed twice showed higher moisture (84,26%) than the CMS washed once (78,52%) and CMS unwashed (78,42%), occuring waste of protein, lipid and ash, by washing. During the storage, the BVT kept stable, disagree between the treatments, and the CMS unwashed exhibit higher mean value (15,79 mg BVT/100g) than CMS washed once (5,46 mg BVT/100g) and CMS washed twice (2,61mg/100g). At the zero day, the bigger value of TBARS was determinated in CMS unwashed (0,216 mg malonaldeído/kg), but in CMS washed once and twice, the values was 0,083 e 0,099 mg malonaldeído/kg respectively, signify that the washing process induced removal the majority part of compounds responsible by the lipidic oxidation. The Brazilian legislation do not indicate a limit of CMS lipid oxidation evaluated by TBARS method, however the values at the end of the storage (0,405; 0,511 e 0,420 mg malonaldeído/kg) for CMS without, with one and with two washing are low and indicate low oxidation. The CMS and the fishburger microbiological parameters kept agreed with Brazilian legislation. The fishburgers was accepted by the samplers and the fishburger elaborated with CMS washed once was better evaluated to general acceptability. The changes occured during the period of storage have not affect on CMS quality, indicating availability to products formulated by CMS with 180 days of frozen storage. The CMS process of african catfish can be a alternative to employment of a specie under-utilized, creating aquaculture products with aggregated value.