Life history of South African snoek, Thyrsites atun (Pisces: Gempylidae): a pelagic predator of the Benguela ecosystem

Snoek (Thyrsites atun) is a valuable commercial species and an important predator of small pelagic fishes in the Benguela ecosystem. The South African population attains 50% sexual maturity at a fork length of ca.73.0 cm (3 years). Spawning occurs offshore during winter−spring, along the shelf break (150–400 m) of the western Agulhas Bank and the South African west coast. Prevailing currents transport eggs and larvae to a primary nursery ground north of Cape Columbine and to a secondary nursery area to the east of Danger Point; both shallower than 150 m. Juveniles remain on the nursery grounds until maturity, growing to between 33 and 44 cm in the first year (3.25 cm/month). Onshore– offshore distribution (between 5- and 150-m isobaths) of juveniles is deter-mined largely by prey availability and includes a seasonal inshore migration in autumn in response to clupeoid recruitment. Adults are found through-out the distribution range of the species, and although they move offshore to spawn—there is some southward dispersion as the spawning season progresses—longshore movement is apparently random and without a seasonal basis. Relative condition of both sexes declined dramatically with the onset of spawning. Mesenteric fat loss was, however, higher in females, despite a greater rate of prey consumption. Spatial differences in sex ratios and indices of prey consumption suggest that females on the west coast move inshore to feed between spawning events, but that those found farther south along the western Agulhas Bank remain on the spawning ground throughout the spawning season. This regional difference in female behavior is attributed to higher offshore abundance of clupeid prey on the western Agulhas Bank, as determined from both diet and rates of prey consumption.

Break through in 10 million fry production at Khutelabhata fish seed farm, Durg, Madhya Pradesh

This paper presents a resume of the work carried on the production of 10 million major carp fry by stocking at the rate of 10 million spawn per hectare in 38 nursery ponds covering 2.1 ha. water spread area at Khutelabhata fish seed farm, Durg, Madhya Pradesh. Observations made on the effect of various types of feed on survival and growth rate of Indian Major carp fry in nurseries are reported. Physico-chemical parameters and plankton populations in the three sets of nurseries are given. The experiments indicates that optimum survival rate of fry can be obtained by feeding tender spawn with animal protein feed. The economic viability of the experiment discussed shows that for a little increase in the expenditure on improved artificial food the survival and growth of fry can be enhanced.