Reciprocal hybrids of tench Tinca tinca (L.) × bream Abramis brama (L.), and tench × carp Cyprinus carpio L., and some characteristics of their early development

Reciprocal hybrids between tench Tinca tinca (L.) and carp Cyprinus carpio L., and tench and bream Abramis brama (L.) were produced artificially. The survival of all these hybrids during embryogenesis was quite high. The highest survival rate (over 60%) at the eyed stage was observed for tench and bream hybrids (both sex combinations). The hatching rates of these hybrids were also over 60%. The number of larvae with some abnormalities (i.e. deformed body) was low. In contrast, the hatching rates of tench and carp hybrids were very low (0.2%). From over 1000 fertilized eggs, only three specimens started swimming, and only one specimen survived to juvenile stage. Embryos of hybrids and their parental species differ in morphological features. These differences were also visible in the juveniles. Body parameters of juvenile hybrids produced from three species had intermediate values in comparison to parental fish.