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.     

Ovarian re‐maturation following the first spawning in the Chinese mitten crab,Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne‐Edwards)

The present study investigated the external and histological changes in the ovary and measured the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) during the re‐maturation of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. The results show that the ovarian re‐maturation cycle of this crab species can be divided into four stages, i.e. Stage I: the ovary had an X shape and appeared milky white or with a mottled buff colour, and the dominant gametocyte at the stage were oogonia (OG, 28.3%) and previtellogenic oocytes (PR, 31.6%); Stage II: the ovary appeared light yellow or tan in colour, dominated by endogenous vitellogeic oocytes (EN, 69.3%). The yolk globules of unreleased mature oocytes (MO) from the previous spawn were absorbed, leaving many vacuoles in the retrogressing MO; Stage III: the ovary appeared crimson red or deep purple, and although the main type of gametocyte was exogenous vitellogenic oocytes (EX), near‐mature oocytes (NO) could also be found in the late phase of the ovarian development stage; Stage IV: the ovary was ripe and filled with MO that contained large yolk globules. During the period of the second ovarian maturation cycle, the GSI increased significantly from the time just after the first spawning (P<0.01). However, although HSI appeared to decrease within days after spawning (DAS), no significant correlation was found between GSI and HSI or between HSI and DAS (P>0.05). Furthermore, the final GSI and the volume of MO of E. sinensis during the second maturation cycle were drastically lower than those of the first maturation cycle.     

Semilunar spawning periodicity in brackish damsel Pomacentrus taeniometopon

ABSTRACT:   Lunar-related spawning periodicity of the brackish damsel Pomacentrus taeniometopon was investigated by changes in gonadosomatic index (GSI) and ovarian histology. During the spawning season, GSI increased toward the week of the first and last quarter moon. Concomitant with increases in GSI, oocytes laden with yolk developed from the new/full moon to the first/last quarter moon. Postovulatory follicles appeared in the ovary around and after the first/last quarter moon. These results suggest that P. taeniometopon is a semilunar spawner and repeats spawnings twice a month with lunar periodicity during the spawning season. When the fish were reared under laboratory conditions without periodicity of tide, the spawning of P. taeniometopon occurred sporadically. It is likely that the fish uses tidal stimuli in the natural habitat to entrain reproductive activities.     

Histological evidence of lunar-synchronized ovarian development and spawning in the spiny rabbitfish Siganus spinus (Linnaeus) around the Ryukyus

ABSTRACT: This study clarifies the annual reproductive cycle and the lunar-synchronized spawning of the spiny rabbitfish ( Siganus spinus ) that inhabit the Okinawan waters. Annual and weekly changes in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the histological features of the ovaries were checked. Gonadosomatic index was high during the months of May to July, and yolk-laden oocytes were observed in the ovaries from March to July. Some of the ovaries collected during June and July contained oocytes at maturation stage or ovulatory follicles. These results suggest that the spiny rabbitfish undergo active vitellogenesis and spawning from May to July. During the reproductive season (May to July), collection of fish according to the lunar phase revealed that a high GSI occurred around the time of the new moon. Cyclic oocyte development with peaks around the time of the same moon phase was also observed, suggesting that, in Okinawan waters, this species is a lunar-synchronized spawner and spawns three times.     

Fluctuations in gonadotropin and ovarian steroids during the annual cycle and spawning of the common carp

The main objective of the paper is to describe the annual changes in hormones associated with reproduction in the female carp under the conditions prevailing in the Israeli fish culture. Fish were sampled monthly throughout 1984; gonadosomatic index (GSI) was calculated and the diameter of ovarian follicles was measured. Gonadotropin (GTH) content in the pituitary and the circulating GTH, estradiol, testosterone and 17, 20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17, 20-P) were determined by specific radioimmunoassays. GTH, estradiol and testosterone showed a bimodal annual pattern. The late summer peak was associated with initial vitellogenesis while the peak in spring occurred just before spawning, which took place in April-May. A resting phase in ovarian activity was noted in June and July. The levels of 17, 20-P were very low compared with those occurring during spawning induction. The paper summarizes a previous study by our laboratory on the changes in circulating hormones, as related to oocyte stages, in female carp induced to spawn by a GTH-calibrated pituitary extract. This study associates the short but prominent peak in 17, 20-P with the presence of follicles with maturing oocytes in the ovary. A correlation was found between the percentage of oocytes with eccentric germinal vesicle initially present in ovarian biopsies of females carp and their spawning success after hypophysation. The paper describes simple means to ensure successful induction of spawning in carp by utilizing a calibrated pituitary extract and prior selection of females that would respond to the induction treatment.     

Annual and lunar-synchronized ovarian activity in two rabbitfish species in the Chuuk lagoon, Micronesia

ABSTRACT:   This study examined the annual and the lunar cycles of ovarian activity in the forktail rabbitfish Siganus argenteus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) and the spiny rabbitfish Siganus spinus (Linnaeus, 1758), which were collected from the Chuuk lagoon, Federated States of Micronesia. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) increased in May and June for S. argenteus . For S. spinus , GSI increased in March, and from July to September. During these periods, the ovaries of these species contained oocytes at the tertiary yolk stage or the maturation stage, suggesting that these months are the reproductive season of the two species. During the reproductive season, weekly collection of the fish according to the lunar phase revealed that high GSI occurred around the last quarter moon for S. argenteus and the new moon for S. spinus . In the ovaries, oocytes developed synchronously, and postovulatory follicles, an indicator of spawning, were observed after the respective moon phase, suggesting that these species are restricted lunar-synchronized spawners. Comparisons of the reproductive activity of the two rabbitfishes in the Chuuk lagoon with that in Okinawa waters revealed that there is a geographic difference in the reproductive activity between habitats. However, the lunar phase for exertion of synchronous gonadal maturation and spawning is common in both regions.     

半滑舌鳎卵巢发育的组织学和形态数量特征研究

采用组织学方法系统研究了人工养殖条件下半滑舌鳎亲鱼卵巢的组织发育周年变化特征.结果表明,卵母细胞发育可分为6个时相,卵巢发育分为6期.卵巢不同发育时期都由不同类型的卵母细胞组成,半滑舌鳎为非同步分批多次产卵类型.周年发育过程中,6月龄前的鱼卵巢发育处于第Ⅰ期;9～12月龄卵巢可发育至第Ⅱ期;12月龄半滑舌鳎性腺可发育达到Ⅲ期,并一直保持至24月龄.3龄雌鱼达到性成熟,卵巢可发育至第Ⅳ期;随着水温和光周期的调控,卵巢发育进入成熟期(Ⅴ期),发生水合现象是卵母细胞成熟并准备排卵的信号;产卵结束后卵巢退化至第Ⅵ期,排出的卵母细胞退化吸收,以Ⅲ期卵巢越冬后,卵巢退化至Ⅱ期并持续至下一个繁殖周期.人工养殖条件下,卵巢内存在卵母细胞闭锁现象.性腺周年发育过程中,性腺指数(GSI)在性腺达到成熟期时达到峰值,产卵结束后性腺快速退化,GSI值各月份差异显著(P<0.05),亲鱼性腺重量在卵巢发育成熟过程中一直处于生长状态.亲鱼肝脏指数(HSI)在产卵前7～8月份(性腺达到成熟期前30 d左右)达到最大,表明7～8月份是性腺进行卵子发育、卵黄能量储备的重要时期,亲鱼在产卵前通过积极摄食储备体内能量,肝脏在卵母细胞卵黄积累方面具有重要的生理作用.肥满度(CF)值在繁殖盛期10～11月份达到最大,表现出与GSI类似的变化趋势.     

Oocyte maturation and ovulation in the Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.), examined using ultrasonography

High resolution ultrasound scanning was tested as a non-invasive technique for monitoring oocyte maturation and ovulalion in the Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.). Female broodstock halibut were examined using a 7.5-Mhz linear ultrasound transducer, prior to and during spawning. Representative images of halibut ovaries are presented and discussed. Individual oocytes of spawning females were discernible during oocyte final maturation, due to the large increase in volume caused by water uptake. The yolky (vitellogenic) cocytes of pre-spawning fish were more reflective to ultrasound than hydrating oocytes. The resulting differences in depth of ultrasound penetration permitted easy distinction of pre-spawning from spawning females. In addition, short-term changes in the depth of ultrasound penetration were observed during repeated scanning of a spawning female, owing to progressive hydration of the oocyte batch destined for ovulation. Although of similar diameter, hydrating oocytes in the ovarian tissue could be discerned from eggs in the ovarian lumen because of the different acoustic properties of the surrounding media. The findings of the present study are considered promising for the future routine use of ultrasonography in halibut broodstock management.     

Changes in tissue lipid levels in the freshwater catfishClarias batrachus associated with the reproductive cycle

The levels of free fatty acid (FFA), monoglyceride (MG), diglyceride (DG), triglyceride (TG), phospholipid (PL), free cholesterol (CF) and esterified cholesterol (CE) were measured in the liver, plasma, ovary, abdominal fat and muscle during different phases of the annual reproductive cycle in femaleClarias batrachus. During the preparatory phase, hepatic lipogenic activity predominated over mobilization and consumption. In the prespawning season, an increased hepatic lipogenic activity was maintained, but lipids were transferred from the liver to the ovary. In the spawning phase, the diminished food intake, and enhanced caloric demand for spawning behaviour and activity limited hepatic lipogenic activity, and TG lypolysis was increased as was the production of more FFA. Maximum accumulation of vitellogenin, as reflected by maximum rise in ovarian PL titre was characteristic of this phase. Marked reductions in ovarian lipid occurred during the postspawning phase. In the resting phase, there was a recovery of lipogenic activity, but PL synthesis was still inhibited. In contrast to other investigated teleosts, there were extremely high level of FFA in liver, plasma, ovary and muscle throughout the annual reproductive cycle inC. batrachus. FFA appears to be the main lipid metabolite which had a very high turnover. As evidenced by the high TG content, abdominal fat seems to be the main fat depot, not the liver and muscle.Correspondent author     

Activity and expression of aspartate aminotransferase during the reproductive cycle of a fresh water fish, Clarias batrachus

Aspartate amino transferase (AspT; EC: 2.6.1.1) is one of the key enzyme of aspartate malate shuttle and non-essential amino acid metabolism. In order to clarify the change of the activities of both cytosolic (c-) and mitochondrial (m-) AspT isoenzymes during the different reproductive stages of Clarias batrachus, an air-breathing carnivorous freshwater fish, the c- and m- AspT activities were measured spectrophotometrically in liver, heart, kidney, brain and ovary during the pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning phases of the annual reproductive cycle of this fish. Maximum activities were observed during the spawning phase, followed by pre- and post-spawning phases. The native agarose gel electrophoretic pattern revealed two AspT forms, c-AspT and m-AspT, throughout the pre- to post-spawning phases. However, the spawning phase was marked by the expression of an additional anionic form of c-AspT in all tissues studied. These results indicate a distinct utilization of aspartate particularly in the spawning phase in fish in the central metabolic path via transamination reactions, and suggest a control of the enzyme activity by the expression of the additional c-AspT gene, especially at the spawning phase.     

Histological examination of final oocyte maturation and atresia in wild and domesticated Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) broodstock

Oocyte maturation and gonadosomatic index (GSI) of eyestalk ablated Penaeus monodon females collected from the wild and from two first‐generation domesticated lines were assessed. Frequency and diameter of the different oocytes, and the intensity of oocyte atresia, were compared among groups through histological assessments of the sections of the middle ovarian lobe. Digitized images from ovary sections were used to record the frequency and diameter of different oocyte types. Spawning performance of the three groups were expressed in terms of the percentage of females that spawned at least once (productive females), time from eyestalk ablation to first spawning (latency period) and the number of spawnings per female stocked. Final ovarian maturation was attained in all groups, as indicated by the presence of mature oocytes with cortical rods (cortical oocytes), dark‐green ovarian colour and high GSI values (5.83–6.86%). However, domesticated groups presented significant larger immature oocyte types (previtellogenic and yolky oocytes) and smaller cortical oocytes compared with wild females, indicating a reduced vitellogenic activity during final oocyte maturation. Additionally, the frequency of atresia was comparatively higher for both domesticated groups, which could be related to their inferior spawning performance. The implications of these results on the reproductive potential and development of domesticated P. monodon are discussed.     

Histological observations of seasonal reproductive and lunar-related spawning cycles in the female honeycomb grouper Epinephelus merra in Okinawan waters

Seasonal reproductive and lunar-related spawning cycles of the female honeycomb grouper Epinephelus merra inhabiting Okinawan waters were examined by histological observation of ovaries. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) increased beginning in May and peaked in June. Histological observations revealed that many oocytes laden with yolk were present in the ovaries from May to August. From September to October, ovaries were occupied by immature oocytes. These results suggest that the reproductive season of E.   merra lasts for 4 months from May through August in Okinawan waters. When the fish were collected according to the lunar cycle, GSI increased with the approach of the full moon. Oocytes at various development stages were observed from the first quarter to the full moon. Fresh ovulatory follicles were present in the ovaries around the last quarter moon. These results suggest that E.   merra has a lunar spawning cycle and spawns between the full moon and the last quarter moon. Ovarian features of the fish collected around the last quarter moon were different among individuals; some fish had many oocytes at the tertiary yolk stage in the ovaries, while the ovaries of the others were occupied by the oocytes at the peri-nucleolus and the oil droplet stages. This observation suggests that a minor release of eggs occurs in this species before or after a major spawning lunar day. Oocytes at the migratory nucleus and the maturation stages were not observed in any ovarian samples. This may mean that maturation of oocytes is related to the spawning behavior of this species and makes rapid progress in the process of aggregation at the spawning sites.     

Hermaphroditism in Cultured Chinese Black Sleeper (Bostrichthys sinensis L.)

Anatomical studies showed that all collected feral fish of Chinese black sleepers (Bostrichthys sinensis L.) were gonochoristic. In contrast, an average of 12.4% of cultured fish appeared to be hermaphroditic. The shape of the genital papilla of hermaphroditic specimens resembled that of gonochoristic males. The gonadosomatic index (I_G) of hermaphroditic fish varied from 0.24 to 4.48%, while that of gonochoristic conspecifics varied from 6.1 to 12.2% for females and 0.11 to 0.14% for males. Histological studies revealed that the sex organs of hermaphrodites consisted of ovarian, testicular, and seminal vesicle tissues, located in the central, peripheral, and caudal region of the gonads, respectively. During the spawning season, ovarian tissue contained poorly developed oocytes, that is, hydrated oocytes were absent and only a few degenerated vitellogenic oocytes were present. Testicular tissue, however, contained fully developed spermatozoa. The fertilization rate of these spermatozoa was significantly lower than those of gonochoristic conspecifics. It is concluded that part of the cultured stock of Chinese black sleeper became hermaphroditic during culture and that the hermaphrodites are able to function as males. The lowered fertilization rate, however, indicates that hermaphroditism in cultured fish of this species is disadvantageous to reproduction.     

花䱻卵母细胞发育的组织学和超微结构观察

2015年7月至2017年10月在河南省驻马店宿鸭湖水库采集花?(Hemibarbus maculatus Bleeker)雌鱼样本190尾,体长7.12～32.21 cm,体重10.55～330.22 g,采用组织学和扫描电子显微镜技术观察了花?卵母细胞发育各时期的特征。结果表明,花?卵母细胞发育可分为5个时相,第I时相卵母细胞处于卵原细胞增殖阶段;第Ⅱ时相卵母细胞处于初级生长阶段,出现滤泡膜;第Ⅲ时相卵母细胞出现皮质液泡,细胞质膜之间形成放射带;第Ⅳ时相卵母细胞处于大生长后期,卵黄颗粒增多。电镜下观察发现放射带表面形成微孔状结构,核仁外排,可能与卵母细胞内营养物质积累有关;第Ⅴ时相卵母细胞中细胞核消失,卵母细胞发育为成熟卵子,与卵膜脱离,准备排卵。繁殖季节,花?卵巢成熟系数达到13.78%～17.04%。研究结果可为花?人工繁殖和育种工作提供参考。     

Ovarian contractility in reared gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) in different phases of the reproductive cycle

Spontaneous ovarian tunica albuginea contractility was evaluated in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) at different phases of the reproductive cycle. Fourteen adult females were sampled from February to November 2012 in a commercial fish farm, and ovaries were removed and processed for histological and contractility analyses. Fish reproductive stages were evaluated on haematoxylin–eosin-stained ovary sections or by simple macroscopic observation of hydrated oocytes in spawning individuals. Tunica albuginea spontaneous contractility was recorded by using ovary wall strips mounted in an organ bath containing modified Ringer’s solution. Ovary macro- and microscopic analyses allowed the identification of three different reproductive conditions: vitellogenesis, spawning and regressing. The gilthead seabream tunica albuginea was capable to contract spontaneously, and significant differences were found in mean contraction amplitude among the three reproductive states, with the highest value recorded in individuals in regressing condition and the lowest in individuals at spawning stage. No differences in mean contractility frequency among the three different groups were found. Possible involvement of spontaneous contractility in facilitating developing follicle advancement towards the ovarian lumen within the ovary and in supporting recovery of regressing ovaries may be hypothesized. The low contractility observed during the final oocyte maturation and spawning phases does not seem to support a role of tunica albuginea during ovulation, which could conversely involve theca cell contraction. Alternatively, possible single instantaneous contractions of tunica albuginea muscle fibres, not detected in the present study, could occur during ovulation in response to neuro-hormonal stimulations; a role of abdominal wall musculature in ovary “squeezing” and consequent release of ovulated eggs cannot be excluded.     

Maturation and spawning of the small penaeid shrimp Metapenaeopsis dalei in Tosa Bay, Pacific coast of southern Japan

SUMMARY: Seasonal changes in the percentage of mature female Metapenaeopsis dalei were studied histologically, and the annual cycle of maturation and spawning of this species was discussed. Specimens were collected at night by a beam trawler in Tosa Bay (33°N, 133°E) during the period from April 1995 to March 1996. All individuals had a gonado somatic index [ GSI = 100 (gonado weight/body weight)] of higher than 8, and 66.7% of those individuals with a GSI of 6–8 had oocytes in the late phase of the prematuration stage after germinal vesicle shrinking and migrating to the margin of the oocyte or had oocytes in the maturation stage. Such individuals with developed oocytes appeared in April, June, July, August, October, November and March. Individuals with a GSI above 6 appeared throughout the year, except during September and February. Individuals with ovulated oocytes were sampled in March when the water temperature near the bottom depths was lowest (15.4°C) during the year, being similar to February (15.1°C). These facts indicate that maturation occurs all year-round and suggests that spawning in the Metapenaeopsis dalei population in Tosa Bay occurs all year-round. This is the first report of year-round maturation in penaeid shrimps in Japanese waters.     

Oogenesis and lipids in gonad and liver of daubed shanny (Leptoclinus maculatus) females from Svalbard waters

Oocyte and liver histomorphology of the daubed shanny (Leptoclinus maculatus) from Isfjorden and Kongsfjorden in Svalbard were investigated during three Arctic seasons: summer (July), autumn (October) and winter (April). Three oocyte developmental phases were observed: primary growth phase, secondary growth phase and maturation phase. We observed four different developmental stages: (1) perinucleolus stage with cortical alveolus formation, (2) lipid droplets formation, (3) vitellogenesis stage and (4) maturation. Late maturation stage of oocytes in the ovaries was from the autumn season. Females accumulated lipids in liver (up to 35.2?% dw) and deposited large amounts of lipids into gonads (up to 52.2?% dw) during maturation. Lipid classes in female gonads changed seasonally, with relative increase in cholesterol during summer and depletion of storage lipids (triacylglycerols and wax esters/cholesterol esters) during the winter. Lipid composition in liver changed during oocyte development and spawning, as neutral lipids were transferred to developing oocytes during summer to autumn. During winter, storage lipids were depleted during starvation. Based on the increase in gonadosomatic index (GSI) with length and observed maturation stages, females seem to mature at a length of about 125-130?mm. The GSI and hepatosomatic index of large females sampled in autumn (September-October) were significantly higher than for females in late winter (April) and spring (May). These results indicate that spawning takes place during winter in Isfjorden and that energy reserves stored in the liver are utilized by females during gonadal development and reproduction.     

Conservation of spawning time between years in lumpfish Cyclopterus lumpus and potential impacts from the temporal distribution of fishing effort

Lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus L., has an extended ovary development period and a relatively long spawning season. It therefore seems unlikely that individuals spawning later in the season would be able to recover from spawning and develop their gonads in time to spawn during the early part of the season the following year. The hypothesis that individuals spawning early or late in a spawning season would spawn early or late the following year was tested using fish tagged in Iceland between 2008 and 2017. The tagging date and recapture date the following year were positively correlated with an average of 356 days at large (DAL). Fish sampled from the fishery indicate that tagging/recapture date gives an indication of spawning time. From this, it was concluded that spawning time in the current year can be used to predict spawning time the following year. As fishing effort was greatest at the end of April/beginning of May, it seems likely that fish that come to spawn at this time will be subject to a higher fishing mortality. Therefore, they will be less likely to spawn successfully than fish spawning earlier or later in the year. If spawning time is under genetic control, then this could have consequences for the spawning phenology of lumpfish.     

瓯江彩鲤生殖周期内卵巢成熟系数及脂类、脂肪酸的变化

采用生化方法测定了瓯江彩鲤(Cyprinus carpio var.color)卵巢不同发育时期的成熟系数及卵巢脂类、脂肪酸含量与组成,旨在了解瓯江彩鲤卵巢中脂类、脂肪酸的变化与卵巢发育及卵细胞成熟之间的关系。结果显示:卵巢中总脂含量在产卵前最高,占干重17.62%,产卵后显著下降到12.84%(P<0.05),到快速生长期又出现稍微下降,之后在越冬期开始呈上升趋势。4个时期中,C16∶0(软脂酸)、C18∶1n-9c(油酸)、C18∶2n-6c(亚油酸)均是卵巢中的主导脂肪酸,其含量显著高于其它脂肪酸(P<0.05);产卵前,卵巢中脂肪酸含量高,但种类较少,产卵后,卵巢中脂肪酸含量低,但种类较多;随卵巢的发育,不饱和脂肪酸的比例增加,从快速生长期到产卵前,C20∶4n-6(ARA)与C22∶6n-3(DHA)的含量逐渐上升,最高分别达11.63 mg/g、17.80 mg/g。结果表明:不同时期卵巢中脂类含量与成熟系数呈正相关,卵巢成熟需积累较多脂类物质。不饱和脂肪酸尤其是DHA、ARA对卵巢的成熟具有重要作用。     

Biological characteristics of pikeperch, Sander lucioperca, during spawning migration in a Baltic Bay

Abstract  Protection of pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.), during its pre-spawning migration is a hotly debated issue in the Baltic as fishing regulations to protect these stocks are based on anecdotal information. To improve understanding of pikeperch migration and improve the setting of regulations, fish were sampled with a fyke net and gill nets during the migration period (April to June) at the entrance of a spawning bay, and changes in length, sex ratio and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were analysed. Catches were greatest at the beginning of the period and consisted mainly of mature fish. From the beginning of spawning migration in April to late May, daily mean length of pikeperch decreased and then increased rapidly in early June. Sex ratio was equal at the beginning of migration, but was dominated by males thereafter. Pikeperch caught during June had already spawned.