Broodstock Rearing and Controlled Reproduction of Reeves Shad Tenualosa reevesii

Reeves shad Tenualosa reevesii is one of China's best known anadromous fish, but is presently on the verge of extinction. There is an urgent need for conservation of this species through artificial reproduction and culture. In this study, shad broodstock were held in captivity then were induced to spawn with serial injections of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa) following GtH priming by implantations of 17-methytestosterone (T) combined with environmental manipulations. Induced maturation of 4, 5, and 6-year-old females reached 83.3%, 87.5%, and 100%, respectively, while fish in control treatments remained immature. During the gonadal development priming period, mean serum 17-estradiol levels in the T treatment were significantly higher than the LHRHa treatment and control fish. Gonadal development of females was suppressed when their mesenteric fat index was below 1.5% by April. The effective accumulating temperatures for female and male maturation were 3,995 ± 31.4 C/d and 2,278 ± 8.9 C/d, respectively. Two injections of LHRHa in combination with domperidone (DOM) and environmental regulations were effective in inducing ovulation. About 800,000 fertilized ova were obtained (fertilization 75%) in 1995, and 5,000 fry were hatched in 1996. These results are an important step to develop shad culture and save this endangered species.