Preliminary Studies of Artificial Spawning of Channel Catfish as Male-Female Pairs or All-Female Groups in Recirculating Systems

Abstract— Channel catfish Icralurus punctatus are commonly spawned for research purposes by pairing of a hormonally treated female with a male in flow-through aquaria. A technique that allows hormonal induction of ovulation in females without pairing would accelerate genetic improvement and production of hybrid catfish. Over a 3-yr period (1994, 1995, and 1996) we conducted a series of trials to demonstrate the potential for artificial spawning in recirculating systems, and in 1996 we included trials with grouped females in addition to male-female pairs. Females were induced to spawn with injection of synthetic leuteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, and those that ovulated were stripped and the eggs were artificially fertilized. During 1994 and 1995, all fish were spawned by pairing, and in 1996, half of the females were spawned by pairing and half were grouped in tanks without males. Spawning success (percent of females that produced eggs), latency (time between injection and ovulation), and percent fertilization were observed for the paired and grouped trials. Spawning success was 36% in 1994 (N= 36). 22% in 1995 (N= 54). 41% in 1996 (N= 27). and 58% for grouped females (N= 26). The latency period was 113 ± 69 h in 1994, 109 ± 57 h in 1995, 44 ± 8 h in 1996, and 50 ± 9 h for grouped females. Percent fertilization was 16 ± 26% for eggs stripped in 1994, 72 ± 25% in 1995, 43 ± 20% in 1996, and 16 ± 37% for grouped females. In 1995, water quality problems were associated with high mortality of females (24 of 44 females; 4 of 44 males). The metabolic demands of final oocyte maturation in combination with methemoglobinemia caused by high nitrite levels could account for the increased vulnerability of females. These trials indicate that with adequate biofiltration, artificial spawning is possible in recirculating systems and with females grouped rather than paired. Further research on hormone dosage and timing of egg stripping will increase the utility of grouped spawning of channel catfish.     

Spawning induction of pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis in captivity using sustained‐release gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist implants

The aim of this study was to induce and synchronize spawning of pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835), using gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) implants. In the first experiment, the ovarian condition was assessed by ovarian biopsies and the measurement of the genital pore width (GPW). Females having the leading clutch of oocytes with a diameter of around 800–900 μm and a GPW between 4.5 and 5.5 mm were treated with GnRHa implants. Eighty per cent of females spawned between 2 and 9 days after treatment, 12 days earlier than 20% of the fish in the control group that presented signs of spawning activity. In order to avoid any possible ovarian injury and/or stress by the catheterization procedure, in a second experiment, females were selected only by visual inspection of the abdomen and GPW measurement. As in experiment 1, 80% of females spawned between 2 and 8 days after treatment, 8 days earlier than 30% of the fish that spawned in the control group. In both experiments, fertilization and hatching success were similar between control and GnRHa‐treated groups. These results clearly demonstrated that GnRHa implantation can advance and synchronize ovulation and spawning in pejerrey without affecting egg quality.     

Multiple spawning of amphidromous type ayu <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plecoglossus altivelis</Emphasis> in a large river,Mogami River System

Female ayu Plecoglossus altivelis were sampled from the Mogami River System, Yamagata Prefecture to investigate the occurrence of multiple spawning that has previously been reported in small rivers. Spawning frequencies of the females were estimated by histological observations of the ovary mainly from the degree of degeneration of postovulatory follicles. In the middle and late part of the spawning period, most females showed characteristics of having spawned two or three times, indicating that multiple spawning is a common phenomenon also in a large river. Mean relative batch fecundity (RBF) and condition factor (without gonads) decreased with the number of spawning batches. Size dependency in the occurrence of the multiple spawning and the RBF values was not observed. These results are similar to those reported in previous studies of ayu from a small river near the Mogami River System, and indicate that the occurrence and properties of multiple spawning are almost the same regardless of the river scale. However, it is possible that the ratios of multiply spawned females may differ due to variations in survival rates during the spawning season.     

Reproduction of striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum), broodstock: monitoring maturation and hormonal induction of spawning

Abstract Levels of gonadal steroid hormones were quantified in an adult striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum), broodstock during their gametogenic cycle. Blood plasma concentrations of Estradiol (E₂) and testosterone in females, or 11-ketotestosterone(11-KT) and testosterone (T) in males, were used as indicators of maturation. In both sexes, hormone levels were low in summer but increased significantly by late October to intermediate levels which were then maintained until late January. They then increased again rapidly to maximum pre-spawning values attained in late February or March, and subsequently decreased during the spawning period (April and May) with an increased incidence of spent fish with low hormone levels. The changes in blood hormone concentrations coincided with annual changes in photoperiod and water temperature that may be useful landmarks for maturation in captive broodstock. Mature females were implanted with pellets containing a dose of approximately 20 μg/kg body weight of [D-Ala⁶-Pro⁹-Net]-LHRH (GnRHa) in a matrix of cholesterol (CH) and cellulose. In April, they had not yet begun final oocyte maturation (FOM) and were too immature for conventional induction of spawning by injection with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). In early April, females given two 95% CH (slow hormone-release) GnRHa pellets (95/95) or females given one 80% CH (fast hormone-release) GnRHa pellet and one 95% CH GnRHa pellet (80/95) spawned within 13 days treatment (n= 4) with good egg fertility (76 ± 7% of total) and hatch rates (62 ± 15% of fertile). Females given dual fast-release GnRHa pellets (80/80) or control (Sham) pellets did not spawn or show evidence of increased oocyte diameter or development. In late April, four of six females given the 80/95 GnRHa pellet combination spawned within 9 days. Three fish produced fertile eggs (54 ± 18%). one spawned overripe eggs, and the remaining two increased oocyte diameter and maturation. Three corresponding controls did not spawn, and two of these showed clear signs of atresia within 11 days. In early May, some females were undergoing early FOM and were mature enough to be spawned by hCG injection. Three were given a single 80% CH GnRHa pellet and spawned within 6 days of treatment to produce fertile eggs (44 ± 6%). Of two other females given dual 80% CH GnRHa pellets, one spawned infertile eggs and the other failed to spawn within 9 days. GnRHa implants show promise as a technique for inducing spawning of captive striped bass broodstock although the optimum hormone delivery systems, dosages and release rates should be verified for fish at specific maturational stages.     

Reproduction,growth and stress response in adult red sea bream,Pagrus major (Temminck & Schlegel) exposed to different photoperiods at spawning season

Adult red sea bream, Pagrus major (body weight, 1.0–2.0 kg) was exposed to three photoperiods [12 h light:12 h dark (12L:12D), 16 h light:8 h dark (16L:8D) and 24 h light:0 h dark (24L:0D)] from 2 months before spawning till the end of the spawning season to investigate growth, spawning and stress response. During the spawning season, tanks were checked every morning for spawned eggs. The growth performance in fish under 24L:0D was stimulated with significantly higher feed intake than those under other photoperiods (P<0.05). The number of eggs and gonadal histology confirmed that three and five females out of six in each of duplicate tanks of the 16L:8D treatment spawned. In contrast, only two out of six females in one tank of the 24L:0D treatment spawned, and no spawns were observed in the 12L:12D treatment. At the end of the spawning period, both 17β‐estradiol and testosterone levels were significantly higher in fish exposed to 16L:8D followed by 12L:12D and 24L:0D photoperiods (P<0.05). Photoperiod manipulation did not cause significant stress response in fish (P>0.05). The results suggest that stimulating the growth performance of red sea bream at reproductive stage with a 24L:0D photoperiod is possible if the fish are subjected to this photoperiod long before the onset of the spawning season.     

Effects of different feeding regimes on ovarian maturation and spawning of pond-reared giant tiger prawn in Thailand

Large pond-reared Penaeus monodon were used in three maturation and spawning trials lasting 60 days. One group of prawns was fed a fresh diet only; a second group was supplied a fresh diet combined with a formulated pelleted diet; a third group of prawns received the formulated diet only. Total maturation (N = 66 and 55) and spawning events (N = 63 and 48) were much greater for prawns receiving only the fresh diet, and the combined fresh with formulated diets, respectively. Prawns receiving only the formulated diet matured only 12 times, and spawned 11 times. Prawns fed a fresh diet produced significantly more eggs than those given a formulated diet alone. No significant differences were seen in eggs produced per spawning event, % fertilization, % hatch or % metamorphosis from egg to protozoea. Female prawns exhibited greater mortality than did males, while females on the fresh diet only had greater mortality than did other females, presumably due to greater handling and other stress factors. Female prawns on a combined diet had lower mortality than other females. The formulated diet used is suitable for supplementation, but not as a sole maturation food.     

Multiple spawning and related variations in female reproductive parameters of amphidromous type ayu

Adult ayu Plecoglossus altivelis were sampled from the Nezugaseki River, Yamagata Prefecture to investigate the reproductive parameters and analyze their variations related to multiple spawning. Ovarian histology (mainly based on the occurrence of postovulatory follicles) indicated that female ayu can be divided into four groups, which are considered to correspond with unspawned, once spawned, twice spawned, and three (or more) times spawned individuals. Comprehensive analysis of the ovarian state with field surveys revealed that most of the female ayu achieve second spawning and that third spawning is very common in this river. Mean relative batch fecundity (RBF) for the second, third, and fourth spawning indicated 69, 42, and 22%, respectively, of the value for the first spawning, showing a decline with the number of spawning batches. Mean gonadosomatic index (GSI) values of non-ovulating fish showed a similar decline during the main spawning period (October). Condition factor (without gonads) during autumn also decreased with the number of batches spawned, suggesting that multiple spawning is achieved partly by transfer of body mass nutrients to the ovary. Size dependency in reproductive parameters such as occurrence of the multiple spawning, RBF values, and GSI values of the unspawned fish, was not evident except for GSI values in early September (generally during the early phases of ovarian development), when larger fish had larger GSI.     

Effect of dietary protein level on the reproductive performance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

The effects of five dietary protein levels (25%, 30%, 35%, 40% and 45%) on the individual spawning frequency and the egg production of 135 tagged female Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), were studied from 8 May to 19 November 1996 in outdoor concrete tanks. Virtually identical spawning patterns were found in all treatments, but there was a great deal of variation in the frequency of spawning and egg production. Overall, individual spawning frequency varied from one to 14 and individual egg production from 31 to 2828 eggs per spawning. The average number of spawnings and average number of eggs per spawning for fish receiving dietary protein levels of 25%, 30%, 35%, 40% and 45% were 8.0 ±1.6, 8.4 ± 2.2, 8.5 ± 2.7, 8.4 ± 2.5 and 9.4 ± 2.1 spawnings, and 1167 ± 305, 1082 ± 410, 1288 ± 324, 1145 ± 389 and 1328 ± 311 eggs per spawning, respectively. Fish receiving 45% dietary protein spawned more frequently than fish receiving 25% dietary protein. The total number of eggs produced per female was significantly higher for females fed 45% protein feed than females receiving 25% and 30% protein feeds. No definite trend was found in the number of eggs produced per spawning and the number of eggs produced per gram in females fed at different protein levels. Based on weekly checking, the time interval between spawnings varied from 7 to 77 days, and mean spawning intervals ranged from 15.8 to 17.1 days. Sixty per cent of females spawned after an interval 14 days, 15% after 21 days, 13.6% after 7 days, 7.2% after 28 days, 1.8% after 35 days and 1.0% after 42 days, and the time interval was 49-77 days for the rest of the females (1.5%). In all treatments, maximum spawning activity was recorded from May to August, and thereafter, it gradually decreased and no spawning females were found in November.     

A comparison of human chorionic gonadotropin and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogue for ovulation induction in black sea bass Centropristis striata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Mature black sea bass, Centropristis striata L. (200–800 g), were captured in coastal South Carolina during the spawning season and administered hormones for ovulation induction and strip spawning. During both study years, control groups of females were incorporated into the study design and administered sham injections containing physiological saline solution. In 2004, females received a single intramuscular injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (330 IU kg⁻¹) (n=8) or two injections of hCG at 24‐h intervals (n=8). In 2005, females received a single injection of hCG (n=10) or an analogue of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRHa) (n=10). In 2004, all fish administered a single dose of hCG ovulated at least once. Six fish ovulated on two consecutive days and one fish ovulated on 3 days consecutively. In contrast, six of eight fish receiving two doses of hCG ovulated once, five ovulated on 2 days successively and three fish ovulated 3 days in succession. Of the fish that spawned, no differences were found in any reproductive parameters. In 2005, all fish administered hCG or LHRHa ovulated at least once. Three fish administered hCG ovulated twice, four fish ovulated on three consecutive days and one fish 4 days successively. All fish administered LHRHa spawned at least twice, six fish ovulated thrice and three fish ovulated 4 days, successively. A significant difference in fertility was found between hCG (75.6±11.4%) and LHRHa (55.6±27.4%). The results of this study indicate that both hCG and LHRHa are effective for ovulation induction in prespawning black sea bass.     

Effects of Broodstock Size and Source on Ovarian Maturation and Spawning of Penaeus monodon Fabricius from the Gulf of Thailand

The effects of broodstock source (pond-reared and wildcaught from shallow waters) and prawn size (large—weight >120 g, and small-weight < 110 g) on ovarian maturation and reproductive success of Penueus monodon were evaluated. Large females underwent stage IV ovarian maturation and spawned with greater success than did small prawns. Both pond-reared and wildcaught females of the same size exhibited comparable maturation and spawning success. Large females rematured and spawned more frequently than small ones. Total eggs produced by large prawns was significantly greater than for small prawns; nevertheless, prawn source and size had no significant influence on amount of eggs spawned per spawning event. Egg quality varied greatly in terms of percent fertilization, hatch rate, and metamorphosis to first protozwa stage.     

Spawning of the Temperate Sea Cucumber,Australostichopus mollis (Levin)

The spawning of sea cucumbers is related to the interaction of environmental cues and reproductive maturity. Groups of Australostichopus mollis were collected every 2 wk during the summer reproductive season from mid‐October to early February. They were observed for spawning in the hatchery during heat‐shock trials conducted 3–5 C above ambient seawater temperature. Lunar periodicity existed with spawning being most prominent in the week following a full moon. In the week prior to a spawning event, there was also a decrease in ambient incoming seawater temperature. More than 75% individuals spawned during most trials in which spawning occurred. In total, 40% of the 270 individuals spawned during the reproductive season. Reliable spawners were females with a yellow gonad color and large numbers of vitellogenic oocytes, and males with large numbers of spermatocytes and an absence of motile spermatozoa. Furthermore, the percentage germinal vesicle breakdown of oocytes exposed to starfish radial nerve extract compared to seawater was greater for the more orange‐colored gonad of nonspawners. Gonad color is useful in determining the likelihood of spawning over a 2‐wk period in the presence of a cue. Sea cucumbers held for short periods in the hatchery during the reproductive season maintain a natural rhythm of spawning that can be monitored using visual indices and augmented using heat shock.     

Improving spawning synchrony in the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Abstract. The development stage and number of seed (eggs and fry) removed from individual incubating Oreochromis niloticus (L.) broodfish at 10-day interharvest intervals (IHI) was compared with the harvest of free-swimming fry from undisturbed fish held in a tank within the same system. Spawning synchrony and productivity were compared for (1) total exchange of females for ‘conditioned’ females after each harvest, (2) exchange of only spawned females, and (3) return of females back into the spawning tank. Improved synchrony and seed production were positively related to removal of eggs and fry from incubating females and could have important implications for broodstock management in commercial hatcheries. Allowing fish to remain undisturbed in clear water tanks may lead to inhibition of spawning activity related to the formation of hierarchies. Individual weight loss by females during incubation was correlated with stage of seed harvested and thus with timing of spawning during the interharvest interval.     

Variations in reproductive potential between nearshore and offshore spawning contingents of hogfish in the eastern Gulf of Mexico

Hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus (Walbaum), have multiple traits that confound measuring reproductive potential: they are protogynous, relatively long‐lived harem‐forming fish that spawn daily for months. Additionally, recent evidence demonstrates that size, age and timing of sex change vary on a spatial scale within the study area (West Florida shelf, USA). This study investigates the effect of this spatial variation on hogfish reproductive potential by evaluating spawning seasonality, spawning frequency and batch fecundity using an indeterminate egg production model. Offshore females were larger than nearshore females, and batch fecundity was related in a log‐linear manner to female size. Gonad histology demonstrated a more protracted reproductive period for females offshore (8 months) than nearshore (4 months). Spatial variations in size coincide with ontogeny because hogfish move offshore with growth; however, even after accounting for fish size, offshore females spawned more. In areas where male removal rates are elevated, spawning harems are disrupted; thus, greater fishing effort nearshore may further reduce the reproductive potential of these females. These nearshore and offshore spawning components of the population are not genetically distinct, but instead represent two contingent spawning strategies that likely enhance total population stability and resilience of this stock in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.     

Preliminary experiment with photoperiod to influence crawfish spawning

In the fall of 1977, crawfish that had been trepped in a pond during the summer were brought to the laboratory to observe spawning. In ambient light 34 out of 49 females spawned. In 1978 crawfish were trapped from the same pond and brought to the laboratory. Beginning 20 March, 18 crawfish were exposed to reduction of light duration by about 5 min per day. During June and July 14 females spawned and four did not spawn. Of 15 crawfish exposed to ambient light none spawned.     

Reproductive Performance of Pigmented and Albino Female Channel Catfish Induced to Spawn with HCG or Ovaprim

Reproductive performance of albino and pigmented channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctarus ) females was compared when spawning was induced with HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) or Ovaprim ³ (domperidone and [d-Ala⁶, Pro⁹ NEt]-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone). In 1985, only HCG was used to induce spawning. Albino females required more injections, had a longer latency period from time of first injection to spawning, and had lower spawning success (30%) than pigmented females (77%). No differences were observed between albino and pigmented females for time-of-day of spawning, number of eggs obtained by manual stripping, and number of eggs/kg body weight. In 1988, HCG, Ovaprim, and saline (control) were used to induce spawning. HCG induced spawning in 80% of albino and 71% of pigmented females. Ovaprim induced 67% of pigmented females to spawn, but only 2 of 5 albino females spawned. One of four pigmented females injected with saline spawned. Albino females yielded 40–50% fewer eggs/kg body weight than pigmented females. Other performance characteristics for albino and pigmented females were similar whether injected with HCG or Ovaprim. High temperatures encountered during the 1985 spawning season my have had a differential effect on albino and pigmented fish and may account for some differences in spawning success.     

Efficacy of Vaccination Against Streptococcus iniae During Artificial Spawning of the Red-Tail Black Shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor,fam. Cyprinidae)

Artificial spawning may precipitate high mortalities of red-tail black shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) broodstock from Streptococcus iniae infection. Two vaccine formulations (aluminum or oil adjuvant) were evaluated for effectiveness. Fish (mean weight 21.2 ± 5.7 g) were harvested, acclimatized, and vaccinated by intracoelomic injection. After 21 days, fish were moved to a biosecure laboratory and, one day later, simultaneously spawned and challenged by bath or by intracoelomic injection with S. iniae. Both formulations increased relative% survival (RPS) in unspawned (RPS [formulation]: 80 [aluminum]; 54 [oil]) and spawned fish (87–95 [aluminum]; 73–75 [oil]), suggesting that vaccination increases survival of red-tail black shark broodstock after spawning.     

Characterization and comparison of variations in reproductive performance of Chitralada strain Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

In an attempt to better understand and characterize the variability in the female reproduction of individual Thai‐Chitralada strains of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), tagged mature females (n=68) from a single population were monitored in a hapa‐in‐pond system over a 12‐month experimental period. Spawn female⁻¹, eggs female⁻¹ day⁻¹, eggs kg female⁻¹ day⁻¹, day spawn⁻¹ and weight (g) at first spawning of individual females were determined from the regular weekly sampling of weight (g) and eggs per spawn. For analysis, the females were grouped into two, high spawning (HSF) and low spawning frequency (LSF) classes based on their spawning frequency (SF) record. Moreover, nested under these two classes were two groups each based on growth rate, i.e., high frequency – large size (HL), high frequency – small size (HS), low frequency – large size (LL) and low frequency – small size (LS). There was no difference in eggs spawn⁻¹ among all females. The HSF group produced 68% and 361% more eggs female⁻¹ day⁻¹ than the population mean and LSF group respectively. Eggs female⁻¹ day⁻¹ and spawn female⁻¹ remained high in the HSF group and low in the LSF group throughout the 12‐month experimental period. This suggests that individual female spawning activity is consistent within a population in a common environment. The inter‐spawn interval increased with age in all four groups, and day spawn⁻¹ was shorter by 130% in HSF females compared with day spawn⁻¹ in LSF. The HSF group also spawned more successively (≥3), while the LSF group of females had fewer successive spawns (≤2). Body weight (g) had no influence on the number of eggs produced. The study indicates that separating frequently spawning females could be used as an important strategy to improve commercial seed production of Nile tilapia.     

Characteristics and rehabilitation of the spawning habitats of the sea trout, Salmo trutta, in Gotland (Sweden)

Characteristics of the natural spawning habitat of sea trout, Salmo trutta L., were studied in Själsöån, a small stream of Gotland, Sweden, from 1992 to 1999. Each year, trout spawned on 17 ± 7 different areas (156 places ha^?1). Most of the spawning grounds were used every year. Overcutting was evident for at least 60% of the spawning grounds. Fish spawned on a gravel of 19 ± 7 mm in diameter. From 1978 to 1992, 242 artificial spawning grounds were constructed by the Gotland Sport Fishermen Association in four Gotland streams. A sediment trap was dug upstream to the spawning grounds. The artificial spawning ground comprised of a downstream V‐shape stream deflector of large stones with a log weir at the narrowest point of the deflector. Upstream of the dam, 15–60 mm diameter gravel was deposited to constitute the spawning ground substratum. To keep the installation efficient, maintenance is needed every year before the spawning season.     

Spawning frequency of the Tsushima Current subpopulation of chub mackerel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber japonicus</Emphasis> off Kyushu,Japan

Female Japanese chub mackerel Scomber japonicus of the Tsushima Current subpopulation were collected during the spawning season from March to May 2001. A total of 137 adult females were caught between midnight and daybreak. A considerable number of fish displayed new postovulatory follicles (POF), whereas there was no evidence of germinal vesicle breakdown or hydrated oocytes in any of the fish collected. This suggests a daily spawning synchronicity toward midnight. To estimate the spawning frequency (S), the female reproductive state was classified into four criteria based on the degenerative stage of the POFs and the developmental stage of the oocytes. To stage the POFs according to age and determine the stage duration, ovaries from S. japonicus were induced to spawn in the laboratory and were sampled 0–72 h after ovulation at appropriate intervals. The average S, which is evaluated from four different indices, was 16.9%, corresponding to the average female chub mackerel spawned every 5.9 days (8.5 times) during the 50 days.     

Spontaneous captive breeding and larval development in the green and red variants of the Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka 1867)

We report the spontaneous spawning, larval development, survival rate and larval growth rate patterns observed in the green and red variants of the Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. The green variant adapted well to the captive conditions in the Sasebo City Fisheries Center and spontaneously spawned without any induction or stimulation. One hundred individual green variants spawned nine times and produced approximately 155 million eggs. In contrast, 50 individual red variants showed poor adaptation to captivity and spawned spontaneously only three times, producing about 12 million eggs. Larval development and growth rate pattern was almost identical between the two variants of A. japonicus. In contrast, the larval survival rate for the green variant was over 90% up to the auricularia stage (10 days), but much low (less than 30%) for the red variant. We demonstrated that the green variant of A. japonicus was easier to rear in captivity. This provides a useful method for maintaining sustainable harvests and eventually contributing to restocking and sea ranching of the existing population. Further studies about optimal ecological conditions and behaviour are needed to improve egg production and survival rate of the red variant of A. japonicus.