Population density,growth and reproduction of arapaima in an Amazonian river‐floodplain

Arantes CC, Castello L, Stewart DJ, Cetra M, Queiroz HL. Population density, growth and reproduction of arapaima in an Amazonian river‐floodplain. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 455–465. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Compensatory density effects are key features of fish population dynamics that remain poorly understood in tropical river‐floodplains. We investigated possible compensatory growth and reproductive processes for a river‐floodplain population of Arapaima sp., an extinction‐prone fish species of South America. Body growth was studied through analysis of ring patterns on the scales, and size and age at sexual maturity was studied through analysis of female gonads. Growth and maturity were compared for unmanaged conditions with relatively low population density (in 1990s) versus managed conditions with markedly higher density (in 2005–2006); between 1999 and 2005–2006, abundance increased 7.3 fold. Results contradict theoretical expectations for slower growth and delayed reproduction at higher population density. Total lengths of arapaima at low population density were significantly shorter for age classes 1–5 compared with lengths of those age classes at high population density (ancova , P < 0.0001 for both slopes and intercepts). Total length at 50% maturity (L₅₀) only declined about 4% with increasing density (e.g., 164 cm at low density vs. 157 cm at high density). Apparent faster growth at high density and only a slight change in size at maturity resulted in fishes spawning at an earlier age with high density conditions (age 3 vs. age 4–5). We hypothesise that these patterns reflect compliance with minimum size limits of catch during the high density (managed) situation, where there was no harvest of immature fishes. Compliance with minimum size limits, thus, may have led to faster average body growth rate and earlier reproduction, which has greatly promoted population recovery.     

Reproductive biology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sillago aeolus</Emphasis> in Okinawa Island,Japan

ABSTRACT:   A total of 414 fish (female, 59.3–275.0 mm and male, 61.0–220.0 mm standard length) were collected from December 2000 to March 2002 around Okinawa Island, Japan, for the determination of sex, spawning season, maturity and fecundity. Monthly changes in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) exhibited similar trends for both sexes and the mean GSI maintained a high level between February and May. Furthermore, the percentage frequency of hydrated oocytes and the spermatozoic activity suggested that main spawning occurred between February and May. Some hydrated oocytes were found throughout the year, with a GSI value greater than 1.0, suggesting that sporadic spawning occurred. Length at first maturity was determined for females and males as 120 and 113 mm standard length, respectively. Almost 50% and 100% males were matured at the end of their 0 and 1 year of age group, respectively. In contrast, no females were found to be mature at 0+ age group, and almost 60% of females were mature at 1+ age group. At ages over 2 years, all males and females were found to be mature. Batch fecundity (BF) of 33 females was related to standard length, and the relationship between standard length and BF was expressed by the exponential equation: BF = 269.5e^0.020954SL.     

东海区太平洋褶柔鱼生殖群体结构特征的季节差异

依据1997~1999年东海区春、夏、秋3个季节的底拖网资料,分析了东海区太平洋褶柔鱼生殖群体的性别组成、性腺成熟度和初次性成熟胴长等群体结构特征。结果表明:在东海区春、夏、秋三季均存在太平洋褶柔鱼的生殖群体。各季节生殖群体的雌雄比例均不符合1∶1的关系(P<0.05),雌性比例小于雄性。生殖群体中性成熟个体胴长的季节性变化较为明显,雌、雄平均胴长均以秋季最大,夏季最小。雌性个体的平均胴长均显著大于雄性。各季节太平洋褶柔鱼生殖群体中胴长与体重关系的性别差异极显著(P<0.01)。此外,不同季节雌、雄太平洋褶柔鱼的初次性成熟胴长差异较大,雌性为:春季223.4 mm、夏季170.4 mm、秋季202.3 mm;雄性为:春季174.0 mm、夏季164.3 mm、秋季165.3 mm。雄性初次性成熟胴长小于雌性,夏季雌、雄初次成熟胴长均小于春、秋季。依据春季生殖群体的胴长范围、初次性成熟胴长等群体结构特征推测,在东海区可能存在着小规模的春生群。     

Reproductive cycle,age, and body size at maturity and fecundity of female willowy flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tanakius kitaharai</Emphasis>

Annual reproductive cycle, age and body size at maturity, and potential and relative fecundity were examined in female willowy flounder in the North Pacific off Japan. Vitellogenesis became active from September, followed by the beginning of spawning in December. The spawning season continued until May with its peak in January. Estimated maturation rate was 50% at a standard length of 16 cm, 30% in 2-year-olds, and almost 100% in ≥3-year-old fish. Potential fecundity increased with age, while relative fecundity decreased in older fish. The results clarify some aspects of the detailed reproductive biology of female willowy flounder and emphasize the importance of age-composition data in estimating reproductive potential within a population.     

池塘养殖斑节对虾生长、发育与性成熟

为了解不同养殖条件下斑节对虾的生长、外生殖器发育、性腺发育及性成熟之间的关系,对其养殖进行跟踪调查研究.结果显示:①斑节对虾雌雄外生殖器官发育和头胸甲长呈线性关系;②不同养殖环境条件下,斑节对虾性成熟生物学最小型个体无显著差异.雄性精荚出现的生物学最小型个体为头胸甲长3.1 cm,体长11.1 cm,体质量20.0 g;雄性性成熟个体的头胸甲长3.7 cm,体长13.0 cm,体质量37.0 g.池养雌性斑节对虾的性成熟生物学最小型个体以纳精囊的发育完全(可与雄虾交配)为标志,其最小性成熟个体的头胸甲长4.3 cm、体长15.1 cm、体质量53.0 g,雌性性成熟个体为头胸甲长5.0 cm,体长17.0 cm,体质量75.0 g以上;③池塘养殖斑节对虾性成熟与日龄和养殖环境相关.鱼塭雄虾精荚出现的最早时间为日龄120 d前后,其性成熟日龄约为160 d;池塘养殖雄虾精荚出现的最早时间为日龄150 d前后,其性成熟日龄约为260 d.鱼媪雌虾最早交配发生在日龄165 d前后,性成熟日龄205～236 d,池养雌虾最早交配发生在日龄240～ 280 d,性成熟日龄295～360 d以上.     

Size at maturity for grooved Tanner crab (Chionoecetes tanneri) along the U.S. west coast (Washington to California)

We conducted a multiyear study to examine interannual variability in the mean size (carapace width, mm), maturity size (mm) and depth (m) for grooved Tanner crab (Chionoecetes tanneri (Rathbun, 1893)) along the U.S. west coast. An additional goal was to provide updated estimates of carapace width (mm) at 50% maturity (W₅₀) for male and female grooved Tanner crab and assess changes over time. Randomly selected samples came from trawl surveys undertaken annually by the Northwest Fisheries Science Center at depths of 55 to 1280 m. We used allometric relationships between carapace width (CW) and either abdominal width (AW) (females) or chela length (CL) (males) to determine functional maturity by sex. We evaluated maturity by fitting logistic regression models to proportion mature grooved Tanner crab. W₅₀ varied significantly between males (125.2 mm) and females (89.1 mm) but interannual differences were slight. The annual mean CW were greater for mature males (139.9–143.4 mm) relative to females (98.8–100.4 mm). The average sizes of immature grooved Tanner crab varied between sexes with males (75.7–84.6 mm) larger than females (66.7–71.9 mm). Size frequency distributions indicated little overlap in the size of mature male and female grooved Tanner crab but considerable overlap between immature grooved Tanner crab. The best model expressing complexity in growth incorporated width, sex and maturity stage. Depth ranged from 195–1254 m with the average depth of a mature grooved Tanner crab (females, 737 m; males, 767 m) significantly shallower than an immature (females, 949 m; males, 918 m) grooved Tanner crab.     

北部湾春季多齿蛇鲻生物学特征及其年际变化

根据北部湾渔港采样及海上调查生物学测定与数据分析，研究了北部湾多齿蛇鲻(Saurida tumbil)春季生物学特征及其年际变化。结果显示，2008~2018年春季，多齿蛇鲻个体呈小型化趋势，各年度平均体长范围为15.8~16.9 cm，平均体质量范围为48.8~77.5 g，2018年的平均体长和平均体质量比2008年分别降低了6.5%和34.5%。体长–体质量关系式中的异速生长参数b的范围为3.03~3.42，表明春季群体主要呈正异速生长状态(b>3)。性成熟体长年际变化分析表明，北部湾多齿蛇鲻存在性成熟提前的现象，雌性群体50%性成熟体长从2008年(19.0 cm)至2018年(16.6 cm)整体呈减小趋势，10年间减小比例为12.6%，其中，2011~2015年海上采样的样品对比显示，50%性成熟体长减小比例为3.8%。2008~2018年北部湾多齿蛇鲻的肥满度整体呈下降趋势，均值变化范围为1.09~1.29，渔港采样样品和海上采样样品的肥满度年际变化皆呈下降趋势。     

Seasonal distribution, age, growth, and reproductive biology of marbled sole Pleuronectes yokohamae in Tokyo Bay, Japan

ABSTRACT:   The seasonal distribution, age, growth and reproductive biology of marbled sole Pleuronectes yokohamae (Günther) from Tokyo Bay, Japan were studied. A clear seasonal distribution trend was observed, with P. yokohamae limited to the south of the bay in summer and expanding almost throughout the bay in other seasons. The formation and dynamics of hypoxic areas in the bay limited the northward distribution of P. yokohamae in summer. Age was determined by counting growth rings on otoliths; maximum ages were found to be 5 years for males and 6 years for females. The mean back-calculated length for females at each estimated age was greater than that for males. Growth of males and females was shown by the von Bertalanffy growth equations. Reproductive biology was studied on the basis of gonadosomatic indices and histological sections of gonads. The spawning season lasted from November to March, peaking in December and January. Sixty per cent of males at 1 year and all males ≥ 2 years had mature testes, whereas 6.7% of females at 1 year, 58.3% of females at 2 years, and all females ≥ 3 years had attained maturity.     

Effects of food supply on size at first maturity, fecundity and growth of hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) ×Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner), in outdoor concrete tanks in Saudi Arabia

The effects of four levels of food supply (0.5%, 1%, 2% and 3% body weight daily) were investigated on some reproductive traits and growth of hybrid tilapia in outdoor concrete tanks. Fast-growing fish matured early in the season (March), but spawning started late in May. Smallest size of males and females at first maturity was 8.1 cm. Fish size at maturity appears to be influenced by the feeding level, which affects the growth of fish. For both sexes, no significant difference was found in gonadosomatic index (GSI) among different treatments. Mean percentage of mature fish decreased with decreasing food supply and was found to be significantly different between fishes fed at 3% (46%) and 0.5% (28%) body weight. Fecundity increased with increased feeding levels, although significant differences were found only between 3% and other feeding rates (0.5–2.0%). The fecundity per g female was higher at the lower ration levels (0.5% and 1%) than at the higher feeding levels. Egg quality, with respect to egg size, hatchability. fry length and weight, was not affected by the feeding rates. Final mean weight and food conversion ratios were significantly influenced by feeding rates. Higher increase in ovary weight with increasing body weight of mature females fed at 0.5% body weight than fishes receiving higher food levels suggests that in these fish, more food resources are diverted towards gonad building than to somatic growth.     

Age,growth and age at sexual maturity of fan ray <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platyrhina sinensis</Emphasis> (Batoidea: Platyrhinidae) in Ariake Bay,Japan

Abstract:   Age, growth and sexual maturity of the fan ray Platyrhina sinensis in Ariake Bay, Japan were determined from specimens collected from May 2002 to September 2006. Age determination was conducted by vertebral centrum analysis using soft X-radiography. Annual band pair deposition was determined by marginal increment and edge analyses. The von Bertalanffy growth model best described the overall pattern of growth for both males and females (males L _∝  = 455.2, k  = 0.56, t ₀ = −1.09; females L _∝  = 555.8, k  = 0.28, t ₀ = −1.77; L _∝ is the theoretical asymptotic total length in mm, k is the growth rate coefficient and t ₀ is the theoretical time at zero length). Parameter estimates suggest that females attain a larger asymptotic total length and grow more slowly than males. The observed maximum ages were 5 years for males and 12 years for females. Age at 50% sexual maturity was 2.1 years for males and 2.9 years for females. The results indicate that this species is relatively fast-growing, short-lived and early maturing compared with many batoid species.     

东海日本鲭繁殖群体生物学特征的年代际变化

利用1960–2012年间3个时间段共1054尾东海日本鲭(Scomber japonicus)繁殖群体的基础生物学数据,对其群体组成、肥满度、性比、性成熟长度等繁殖特征的年代际变化进行了研究。结果表明,随着时间的推移,东海日本鲭繁殖群体的年龄结构和优势年龄组、肥满度指数、最小和平均性成熟长度都呈现出逐渐下降的趋势。各年代的性比均符合1∶1关系(P0.05),但呈现升高的趋势。与前2个年代相比,21世纪初期有大量1龄鱼加入繁殖群体,这有助于提高繁殖群体的数量。各年代的雌雄鱼性成熟长度之间无显著性差异(P0.05),但最小和平均性成熟长度均表现为雄鱼略大于雌鱼。面对近50年来不断增强的捕捞压力,日本鲭主要采取降低性成熟年龄、提高性腺指数、增加群体中的雌性比例、提高相对繁殖力和减小卵径等自身调节机制来保持种群的延续。针对上述日本鲭繁殖群体的生物学长期变化特征,为了保持该鱼类资源的种群平衡和渔业可持续利用,文章提出了3点渔业管理建议,分别是控制中上层渔业捕捞努力量并制定渔船及网具标准、在主要产卵场设立产卵亲体保护区及在幼鱼索饵场设立特殊禁渔期、针对日本鲭渔业实施TAC管理制度。     

Spatial and temporal differences in life history parameters of Rastrineobola argentea (Pellegrin, 1904) in the Lake Victoria basin in relation to fishing intensity

The small pelagic cyprinid, Rastrineobola argentea (Pellegrin), commonly known as dagaa, accounted for 60% of the total fish biomass and 40% of the commercial catches in Lake Victoria in 2015. However, some aspects of the biology of species (from which management interventions are based) have changed since 1970s; and yet harvest regulations have remained the same. In this study, spatial and temporal variations in life history traits of dagaa in the northern portion of Lake Victoria were examined in relation to fishing intensity to offer guidance on possible adjustments in managing the fishery. The mean standard length halved, whilst the length at 50% maturity (Lm₅₀) reduced by 27%, between the 1970s and 2015; however, the decline in Lm₅₀ was more pronounced in males than females. Data collected between 2014 and 2015 showed that immature individuals are largely harvested from inshore and mid‐island areas, whilst most of the fishes caught in open water areas are largely mature irrespective of the size of the gear used. The causes of the changes in these biological aspects, and the need for policy adjustment, are discussed in the context of changes in fishing pressure.     

Reproductive dynamics and nursery habitat preferences of two commercially important Indo-Pacific red snappers <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lutjanus erythropterus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">L. malabaricus</Emphasis>

Red snappers were examined for reproductive biology and age-0 habitat preferences. Spawning in red snappers occurred throughout the year in northern Australia and eastern Indonesia; at least 10–30% of females and 40–80% of males were in ripe or spawning condition in most months. Northern Australian populations showed a spawning peak from July to December (L. erythropterus) and September to March (L. malabaricus). Eastern Indonesian L. malabaricus had a less defined pattern with two peaks: January–March and October. Size at first maturity was 240 mm for males and 250–300 mm for females. L ₅₀ estimates were similar between species in northern Australia: 270–280 mm (males) and 350–370 mm (females). Maximum batch fecundity was 676,100 oocytes for L. erythropterus and 997,000 oocytes for L. malabaricus. Higher mean abundances of age-0 L. erythropterus were found in silty and coarse sand/rubble estuarine habitats of northern Australia (456 ± 119 fish/km²) compared with sandy coastal habitats (5 ± 3 fish/km²). Most age-0 snapper caught at Sape (eastern Indonesia) were L. malabaricus (91%) with mean abundances of 312 ± 14 fish/km². The similarities in the reproductive characteristics of red snappers suggest that successful management approaches adopted in northern Australia should be considered in eastern Indonesia.     

西南大西洋阿根廷滑柔鱼夏季产卵种群繁殖生物学的初步研究

根据我国鱿钓船于2012年12月—2013年3月渔汛期间,在西南大西洋公海海域作业时随机采集的阿根廷滑柔鱼夏季产卵种群样本(雌性148尾,雄性99尾),初步研究了其种群繁殖生物学。结果表明,渔汛期间阿根廷滑柔鱼夏季产卵种群雌性胴长172~252 mm,雄性胴长164~248 mm。随着月份推移,雌性占比逐月递减,从12月份的84.21%递减至次年3月份的27.03%;雄性个体占比则逐月递增,从12月份的15.79%递增至次年3月份的72.97%。雌性样本超过30%的个体性腺发育成熟并且部分处于繁殖期,雄性个体超过60%的个体性腺发育成熟并且部分处于繁殖期。雌雄个体的胴长和体质量均在性腺功能发育成熟时达到最大值,但是雌性胴长大于雄性,体质量却小于雄性。性腺指数、缠卵腺指数和精荚复合体指数随着个体生长逐渐增长。雌性个体性腺指数为0.001 2~0.31,平均值0.074;缠卵腺指数为0.003 1~0.55,平均值0.29;两者随着个体生长逐渐增长,在性腺功能成熟时达到最大值。雄性个体性腺指数为0.007 5~0.084,平均值0.038;精荚复合体指数为0.000 79~0.035,平均值0.012;两指数在繁殖期时达到最大值。     

Effects of Natural EstradioI-17β and Synthetic 17α- Ethynylestradiol on Direct Feminization of European Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax

To produce a monosex female population of European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax, fry were fed dry diets containing dosages of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg food of either the natural estrogen estradiol-170β(E₂) or the synthetic estrogen 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE₂) for 60 d starting at 88 d post-hatch (dph). A complete feminization (100%) was achieved in all E₂-treated groups at the age of 11 mo (330 dph). All affected fish had ovaries similar in size and histological structure to those of control females. In the E₂-treated groups, feminized fish were heavier and longer than untreated controls (males and females combined). In control groups females exhibited significantly higher body weight and total length than males. Untreated females from control groups and females from the group treated with E₂ at 12.5 mg/kg food had similar body weight, suggesting that in sea bass growth is related to phenotypic sex. In the Entreated groups, survival rates were similar to those of the control fish. A relatively high percentage of females was obtained in the EE₂-treated groups (from 38.6 to 96.5%). However, the gonadal development in these fish was significantly suppressed and a dose-dependent reduction of gonadal sizes was evident. Treatments with the EE₂ (12-5, 25, and 50 mg/kg food) resulted in many fish having abnormal (2.9-5.4-39.8%, respectively) and sterile (0.6-6.0-21.6%, respectively) gonads. Effects also included significantly lower weight and shorter length when compared with controls. Furthermore, fish fed with EE₂ at the dosage of 50 mg/kg food had high mortality rate. A simple protocol was developed for the complete feminization in sea bass in which the fry (80-100 dph) were fed to satiation two times daily with a diet containing 12.5 me of E₂/ks food for a period of 60 d.     

A review and meta‐analysis of growth and life‐history traits of a declining European freshwater fish,crucian carp Carassius carassius

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Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Gonad Maturation, Size and Age at First Maturity, Fecundity and Growth of Nile Tilapia

Six-week-old Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry with an average weight (SD) of 0.51(0.2) g were reared for 140 days on five formulated, isocaloric diets of different protein levels (25, 30, 40 and 45% by dry weight). Fish fed diets of higher protein levels (40 and 45%) showed better growth and feed conversion ratio than those on lower protein levels. Fast-growing fish matured earlier. Maturation rate was affected by the dietary protein levels. Males matured earlier than females: the first mature males were recorded when they were 14 weeks old, whereas the females matured after 18 weeks. In both sexes, mean percentage of mature fish rose with increasing dietary protein level, the percentage of mature males being higher than that of the females. Similarly, the percentage of mature fish rose with the increasing age of fish, with more than 50% males and females mature at the age of 22 and 24 weeks, respectively, the exception being the 25% protein diet fed fish, where the percentage of mature fish was below 50%. In all treatments, spawning was initiated when the fish were 22 weeks old. Smallest size at spawning of males and females was 9.2 cm (13.1 g) and 8.1 cm (8.9 g), respectively, and dietary protein levels influenced the size of fish at first maturity. For both sexes, no difference was found in the gonado-somatic index (GSI) among different treatments. Fecundity increased with increasing dietary protein levels, but significant differences were found only between 40–45% and 25–35% dietary protein levels. The relative fecundity (eggs g^–1 female) was higher at the lower dietary protein levels (25–35%) than at the higher dietary protein levels (40–45%). The dietary protein levels did not have any significant influence on the size and weight of mature eggs. The chemical composition of fish and mature ovaries was significantly influenced by the dietary protein level.     

个体生长对秘鲁外海茎柔鱼角质颚形态变化的影响

为研究个体生长对茎柔鱼角质颚形态变化的影响,本研究根据2009–2014年中国鱿钓船在秘鲁外海(79°22′~84°30′W、10°00′~18°16′S)采集的茎柔鱼样本,提取出1208尾茎柔鱼的角质颚,对角质颚的12项外部形态进行测量,并利用角质颚微结构的生长纹来估算茎柔鱼的日龄,采用方差分析法(ANOVA)分析了不同胴长组、不同日龄组以及不同性成熟阶段角质颚主要外部形态特征的差异。结果表明,角质颚各形态参数在雌、雄个体间的差异性极显著(P0.01),且雌性个体的角质颚大于雄性个体。最小显著差多重比较法(LSD)结果显示,在不同胴长组、不同日龄组和不同性成熟阶段,雌、雄个体角质颚的生长存在差异,相同性别个体角质颚不同部位的生长也不同;在胴长大于400 mm、雌性个体大于300日龄、雄性个体大于250日龄以及性腺成熟度在Ⅲ期以后时,角质颚的生长较为缓慢。研究表明,个体大小、日龄和性成熟对茎柔鱼角质颚的形态变化有一定的影响。     

黄河口及其邻近水域矛尾虾虎鱼渔业生物学特征

为了查明黄河口及其邻近水域矛尾虾虎鱼(Chaeturichthys stigmatias)的生物学特征,为其渔业资源评估和管理提供基本参数,本研究根据2013年6月至2014年5月在黄河口及邻近水域进行底拖网调查所得的矛尾虾虎鱼资源生物学数据,对其群体组成、体长-体重关系和性成熟等渔业生物学特性进行了初步分析。结果表明,该海域矛尾虾虎鱼体长分布范围为25~154 mm,平均体长为(87.77±24.18)mm,优势体长为60~120 mm,占总渔获尾数的76.71%。体重范围为0.08~37.83 g,平均体重为(9.1±6.905)g,优势体重为0~10 g,占63.03%。全年矛尾虾虎鱼体长(SL)-体重(W)关系式为W=4.7×10~(-6)SL~(3.183)(R~2=0.962,n=1842)。矛尾虾虎鱼性腺成熟度和性成熟系数均呈现出明显的月变化,其主要繁殖期为4―5月,产卵持续至6月上旬;体长与性腺成熟度之间的关系无显著雌雄差异,瞬时性成熟速率K=0.039,50%性成熟体长L_(50)=117.92 mm。     

Reproductive ecology of two cyprinid fishes in an oligotrophic lake near the southern limits of their distribution range

Abstract –  The reproductive activities of two dominant fish species, roach Rutilus rutilus and rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus were investigated from August 2000 to July 2002 in an oligotrophic lake, Lake Sapanca, in the northwest of Turkey. A total of 907 roach and 593 rudd individuals were examined. Macroscopic appearance of ovary, gonadosomatic index and oocyte diameter frequency distribution suggested that the spawning season of roach and rudd were from early April (13 °C) to late May (18 °C) and from early May (17.5 °C) to late June (23.5 °C), respectively. The spawning cycles of both species showed the same tendency in two successive years. The estimated mean total lengths at first maturity ( L _T50) were 12.26 and 14.98 cm for male and female roach, respectively, and 7.12 and 8.10 cm for male and female rudd, respectively. The sizes at 50% maturity corresponded to 3 years for roach and 1 year for rudd, for both sexes. The ratio of males to females was 1.3:1 and 1.2:1 for roach and rudd, respectively. The average condition factor K was 1.21 for rudd and 1.14 for roach, and it was not affected by sex or reproductive effort. Absolute fecundity varied from 7829 to 95,387 eggs between ages 3 and 9 for roach and from 1807 to 35,629 eggs between ages 1 and 7 for rudd. Comparisons of these results with earlier studies from more northern regions revealed that spawning of both species in this area started earlier, but spawning temperature and the duration of spawning was approximately the same.