Effects of salinity on sexual maturity and reproduction of Poecilia velifera

Abstract

Poecilia velifera is a popular fish in freshwater aquarism that naturally inhabits aquatic habitats with a wide range of salinities. Nonetheless, the effects of different salinities on the reproductive success and sex ratio of the species remain unknown. Male sex characters, sex ratio and reproductive success of P. velifera were evaluated by maintaining 160 juveniles (0.078 ± 0.011 g) in four different salinities (0; 12; 24; 36 g/L), with four replicates. The only modification observed in males was the formation of a copulatory organ from the anal fin, which was used to distinguish them from females. Timing of the formation of the male copulatory organ, and the weight and total length of males when it occurred, were recorded. Twenty-eight fish from each treatment were euthanized after 150 day to examine the gonads and confirm sex. Eight females and four males from each treatment were then kept in their respective salinity treatments for 65 days to examine the effects of salinity on reproduction. Males were kept with females in the different treatments for 15 days, at which point they were removed. Salinity was negatively correlated with male weight and length. Salinity also affected the sex ratio, with the percentages of males and females being 32.5 and 67.5%, and 27.5 and 72.5% in the salinities of 24 and 36 g of salt/L, respectively. Fifty percent of the females kept in freshwater reproduced, while there was no reproduction in the other treatments. The maintenance of P. velifera in freshwater promoted greater reproductive success and precocity, as well as larger males.