The reproductive performance of wild and hatchery-reared flounder, Platichthys flesus luscus, in the southern Black Sea coast

Abstract

The spawning period, total fecundity, egg size, and fertilization and hatching rates of wild and hatchery-reared flounder, Platichthys flesus luscus, are investigated in this report. Wild and hatchery-reared broodstock consisted of 18 females (452.8 ± 193.2 g) and 17 females (138.9 ± 47.4 g), respectively. The spawning period lasted 79 days, from 22 January to 10 April. Mean total fecundity was 285 ± 157.9 × 10^3 per female for wild broodstock while it was 115.6 ± 53.6 × 10^3 eggs for hatchery-reared broodstock. The fertilization and hatching rates were 38.2 ± 17.0% and 62.3 ± 24.1% for wild and 45.3 ± 22.7% and 54.8 ± 26.5% for hatchery-reared broodstock, respectively. The reproductive parameters of wild and hatchery-reared flounder in the Black Sea were similar.