Characterization of the quality of the gametes and sex steroid levels during spring and summer spawning events in pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis reared under natural conditions of temperature and photoperiod

Pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis spawning period takes place during the end of winter and spring and, depending on temperature conditions, during late summer and autumn. Nevertheless, the occurrence and quality of the summer–autumn spawning period have not been well documented and are not considered for aquaculture production. In this context, this study aimed to characterize the reproductive activity of pejerrey reared in captivity under natural conditions of temperature and photoperiod throughout a year in order to summarize the spawning quality of the two spawning periods. The present results showed that pejerrey might spawn from late winter to the end of the spring with a peak in October (mid‐spring) and, also during summer and early autumn, interrupted by a period of 56 days without spawning activity in between. The extension of both spawning periods was almost equal (67 and 69 days). Nevertheless, higher relative fecundity and larger egg size were observed during the first spawning period, associated with higher levels of oestradiol measured in females demonstrating that it is better than the second spawning. The fertilization rate was not affected throughout the reproductive periods. These differences in the reproductive parameters are discussed in order to design specific strategies to increase seed production.