Abstract
The aim of this work was to assess the quality of pejerrey eggs and larvae throughout its spawning season. Fertilized eggs were taken on September, October, November, and December from a captive broodstock. The egg diameter, yolk diameter, and oil droplets area decreased along the spawning season, with higher values in September. Fertilization and hatching rates decreased throughout this period, with highest values in September (88.0%; 55.2%) and the lowest values on December (43.0%; 25.2%). The larvae hatched from eggs obtained on October were the heaviest and longest (1.57 mg; 8.24 mm). The survival rate at 30 days post hatching (dph) was similar in larvae from September and October eggs (66.1%; 62.9%) with a sharp decrease in larvae from November and December eggs (22.4%; 23.3%). Furthermore, the highest body weight (15.1 mg) and total length (15.25 mm) at 30 dph were obtained in larvae from October eggs. The results obtained showed that overall eggs quality was better at the beginning of the spawning period, influencing the larvae performance.
Highlights
Pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835) is considered the most important native fish of the Pampas region of Argentina due to the high value of its flesh and its attractiveness for anglers (Somoza et al, 2008)
The constant overfish exerted on pejerrey wild populations, the increasing pollution of its habitat and the importance of native species farming to avoid the negative impact of exotic species (Ross et al, 2008), have made necessary the development of its aquaculture
Because the large differences observed in pejerrey gametes quality throughout spawning period, the aim of this work was to quantify its quality in terms of: fertilization and hatching rates, eggs and yolk size, and larvae growth and survival rate, in order to determine the best time for obtaining embryos and improve the management of larvae production
Summary
Pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835) is considered the most important native fish of the Pampas region of Argentina due to the high value of its flesh and its attractiveness for anglers (Somoza et al, 2008). Odontesthes bonariensis is an iteroparous and multiple spawner fish with a major spawning period during spring (with a peak in October) and a smaller one in autumn (Calvo & Morriconi, 1972; Strüssmann, 1989).
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