Simple SummaryThe study evaluates the hybridizations in two African catfish, i.e.,C. gariepinusandC. macromystax, using artificial reproduction. Reproductive and growth performance were evaluated. The results indicated that both species possess a similar gonadosomatic index. The parentC. gariepinuspossesses higher male reproductive quality thanC. macromystax. Fecundity was higher in the female parent ofC. macromystaxand lower in theC. gariepinusspecies. The highest fertilization rates and hatching rates were achieved in the hybrid cross ofC. macromystax×C. gariepinus, which also recorded the lowest deformed larvae. Survival rates at the larval stage were more than 80% with the highest record of survival in the hybridC. macromystax×C. gariepinus. However, survival rates in the fry stage were lower than 70%. The hybrid cross(C. macromystax×C. gariepinus) showed the best growth performance, which was similar to the parental cross (C. gariepinus×C. gariepinus). The study revealed the potentials of the hybridC. macromystax×C. gariepinus, and hybridizations ofC. macromystax×C. gariepinus(Cm×Cg) are indeed possible and proved to have better growth and survival rate under semi-arid conditions, which would contribute significantly to the improvement ofC. macromystaxproduction in captivity.AbstractThe study evaluates the hybridizations between two African catfish,C. gariepinusandC. macromystax,using artificial reproduction. Fecundity and gonadosomatic index were assessed, and growth performance at different developmental stages was evaluated. The results indicated that both species possess a similar gonadosomatic index. The parentC. gariepinuspossesses significantly (p< 0.05) higher male reproductive quality thanC. macromystax. Fecundity was significantly higher (p< 0.05) in the female parent ofC. macromystaxand lower inC. gariepinus. The highest fertilization rates and hatching rates were achieved in the hybrid cross of ♀C. macromystax× ♂C. gariepinus(♀Cm× ♂Cg) which also recorded the lowest deformed larva rate. Survival rates at the larval stage were more than 80%, with the highest record of survival in the hybrid ♀Cm× ♂Cg. However, survival rates in the fry stage were lower than 70%. The hybrid cross (C. macromystax×C. gariepinus) outperformed the parental cross ofC. macromystaxbut was not significantly similar to the parental cross ofC. gariepinus. The study revealed the potential of the hybrid ♀C. macromystax× ♂C. gariepinus, and hybridizations of ♀C. macromystax× ♂C. gariepinus(♀Cm× ♂Cg) are indeed possible and proved to have a better growth and survival rate under semi-arid conditions, which would contribute significantly to the improvement ofC. macromystaxproduction in captivity.