Induced diploid meiogynogenesis in the African clariid catfish Heterobranchus longifilis (Valenciennes, 1840) (Pisces: Clariidae)

Diploid meiotic gynogenesis was induced in African catfish, Heterobranchus longifilis by injection of 0.5ml/kg ovaprim on the breeders, followed by application of UV light irradiation on the spermatozoa and temperature shocking of activated eggs. Diploidy was restored by shocking haploid activated eggs at 5 degree C for 40 minutes. The normal control spermatozoa did not receive any UV irradiation nor temperature shock, while the haploid control spermatozoa were irradiated, but did not receive cold shock. The percentage hatchability in the treated group was 25%, while in the control it was 53%. Less than 15 fingerlings had morphological aberrations. After two weeks of indoor rearing, the survival percentage of the treated group was 45% in the control experiment. Cytogenetic analysis of chromosomes revealed 25 chromosomes in the haploid embryo and 50 chromosomes each in diploid gynogenesis and normal diploid control

Reproductive biology of Orechromis niloticus (L.) (Pisces: Cichlidae) in the Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria

Fish samples were collected using seine and trawl nets in Nyanza Gulf, Lake Victoria (Kenya) in order to study the reproductive and gonadal patterns of Oreochromis niloticus; samples were collected from June 1998 to February 1999. The variation in relative condition factor and monthly variation in gonad weight showed spawning took place between June and July. Most ripe fish were recovered between November and February, while a slight drop in GSI for males was noted between November and January. External factors triggering reproductive strategy are now being addressed

Length-weight relationship and organ indices of pond raised and wild population of C. gariepinus (Burchell 1822) pisces-Claridae

Samples of C. gariepinus collected from the wild and cultured populations in Plateau and Niger States of Nigeria were analyzed for length-weight relationship and organ indices (Gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), renalsomatic index (RSI) and somatic fat deposit index (PDI). High correlation and linear relationship between body length and body weight was observed in all sample population (P<0.05). A significant difference was observed between the GSI of males and females of both wild and cultured population and also between females of the wild and cultured population,(P < 0.05).There was no significant difference in HSI, CSI RSI and PDI of all the sample populations (P < 0.05).The importance of length-weight relationship and organ indices in fish production are discussed

Contribución al conocimiento de la biología del surel (Trachurus picturatus australis) del área de Mar del Plata (Pisces, Carangidae)

The individuals studied came from commercial catches on the coastal area off Mar del Plata. The monthly distribution of sizes shows that the juvenile stay in coastal waters, while the adult individuals leave those waters during winter season to return there in the spring during the season of sexual maturation and spawning, when the water reaches temperature of 10-11°C. The jack mackerel is a relatively small fish, compared with other species of its genus, and has a total length of scarcely 25 cm. The comparison of indexes and mesurements does not reveal any marked difference between sexes, except for the total length, which is greater in the females. Sexually nature individuals at a lenth of 13 cm have been found. Spawning takes place in coastal waters. A great part of the population spawns from December to January. There are oscillations ranging from November to March. On this latter month mature individuals of smaller size have veen found. The jack mackerel feeds usually on copepods and other planktonic organims, but it can feed also on juveniles of other fishes. This fish is caught throghout the whole year. The catches show their greater peak during winter; one other non-constant peak occurs during the spring (October-November) and declines shoraply during the summer months. It follows from this that the time of greates catch does not coincide with spawning season, or with the appearence of the greatest mean sizes. This happens because the interests of the fishermen are attracted during those months by others species of greater commercial value.

Onshore-offshore distribution and abundance of tuna larvae (Pisces: Scombridae: Thunnini) in near-reef waters of the Coral Sea

The on-offshore distributions of tuna larvae in near-reef waters of the Coral Sea, near Lizard Island (14°30ʹS, 145°27ʹE), Australia, were investigated during four cruises from November 1984 to February 1985 to test the hypothesis that larvae of these oceanic fishes are found in highest abundance near coral reefs. Oblique bongo net tows were made in five on-offshore blocks in the Coral Sea, ranging from 0–18.5 km offshore of the outer reefs of the Great Barrier Reef, as well as inside the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon. The smallest individuals (<3.2 mm SL) of the genus Thunnus could not be identified to species, and are referred to as Thunnus spp. We found species-specific distributional patterns. Thunnus spp. and T. alalunga (albacore) larvae were most abundant (up to 68 larvae/100 m2) in near-reef (0–5.5 km offshore) waters, whereas Katsuwonus pelamis (skipjack tuna) larvae increased in abundance in the offshore direction (up to 228 larvae/100 m2, 11.1–18.5 km offshore). Larvae of T. albacares (yellowfin tuna) and Euthynnus affinis (kawakawa) were relatively rare throughout the study region, and the patterns of their distributions were inconclusive. Few larvae of any tuna species were found in the lagoon. Size-frequency distributions revealed a greater proportion of small larvae inshore compared to offshore for K. pelamis and T. albacares. The absence of significant differences in size-frequency distributions for other species and during the other cruises was most likely due to the low numbers of larvae. Larval distributions probably resulted from a combination of patterns of spawning and vertical distribution, combined with wind-driven onshore advection and downwelling on the seaward side of the outer reefs.

Behavioral ontogeny in larvae and early juveniles of the giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) (Pisces: Carangidae)

Behavior of young (8−18 mm SL) giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis), a large coral-reef−associated predator, was observed in the laboratory and the ocean. Size was a better predictor of swimming speed and endurance than was age. Critical speed increased with size from 12 to 40 cm/s at 2.7 cm/s for each mm increase in size. Mean scaled critical speed was 19 body lengths/s and was not size related. Swimming speed in the ocean was 4 to 20 cm/s (about half of critical speed) and varied among areas, but within each area, it increased at 2 cm/s for each mm increase in size. Swimming endurance in the laboratory increased from 5 to 40 km at 5 km for each mm increase in size. Vertical distribution changed ontogenetically: larvae swam shallower, but more variably, and then deeper with growth. Two-thirds of individuals swam directionally with no ontogenetic increase in orientation precision. Larvae swam offshore off open coasts, but not in a bay. In situ observations of C. ignobilis feeding, interacting with pelagic animals, and reacting to reefs are reported. Manusc

Can the age of the tropical species be determined by otolith measurement?: a study using Pristipomoides filamentosus (Pisces: Lutjanidae) from the Mahe Plateau, Seychelles

The sagittal otoliths of bluespot jobfish (Pristipomoides flamentosus) from the Mahe Plateau, Seychelles, were examined for growth rings using light microscopy. Banding with putative annual and monthly frequency were observed. Consistent age estimates were derived from each of the two patterns. The resulting length-at-age data were use t estimate the parameters K and t sub(0), viz: K=0.33, t sub(0) = 0.16 for males and K = 0.36, t sub(0) = 0.06 for females (using von Bertalanffy plots). Possible causes of the banding are discussed.

Influence of music on the growth of koi carp, Cyprinus carpio (Pisces: Cyprindae)

An experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of music on the growth of Koi Carp (Cyprinus carpio) by subjecting the fish to music. Weekly growth in weight was recorded and used to calculate the growth rate and specific growth rate. The difference in growth between the control and experiment groups of fishes was statistically tested for significance. It was observed that the growth of fish subjected to music was significantly higher.

Reproductive biology of carpenter seabream (Argyrozona argyrozona) (Pisces: Sparidae) in a marine protected area

The carpenter seabream (Argyrozona argyrozona) is an endemic South African sparid that comprises an important part of the handline fishery. A three-year study (1998−2000) into its reproductive biology within the Tsitsikamma National Park revealed that these fishes are serial spawning late gonochorists. The size at 50% maturity (L50) was estimated at 292 and 297 mm FL for both females and males, respectively. A likelihood ratio test revealed that there was no significant difference between male and female L50 (P>0.5). Both monthly gonadosomatic indices and macroscopically determined ovarian stages strongly indicate that A. argyrozona within the Tsitsikamma National Park spawn in the astral summer between November and April. The presence of postovulatory follicles (POFs) confirmed a six-month spawning season, and monthly proportions of early (0−6 hour old) POFs showed that spawning frequency was highest (once every 1−2 days) from December to March. Although spawning season was more highly correlated to photoperiod (r = 0.859) than temperature (r = −0.161), the daily proportion of spawning fish was strongly correlated (r= 0.93) to ambient temperature over the range 9−22oC. These results indicate that short-term upwelling events, a strong feature in the Tsitsikamma National Park during summer, may negatively affect carpenter fecundity. Both spawning frequency and duration (i.e., length of spawning season) increased with fish length. As a result of the allometric relationship between annual fecundity and fish mass a 3-kg fish was calculated to produce fivefold more eggs per kilogram of body weight than a fish of 1 kg. In addition to producing more eggs per unit of weight each year, larger fish also produce significantly larger eggs.