Effect of photoperiod and temperature on ovarian maturation in the small characid fish Cheirodon interruptus

GARCÍA, IGNACIO; GARCIA DE SOUZA, JAVIER; PLAUL, SILVIA ELENA; MIRANDA, LEANDRO; COLAUTTI, DARÍO

JOURNAL OF APPLIED AQUACULTURE

Taylor & Francis

Año: 2022 p. 1 - 13

1045-4438

Cheirodon interruptus is a small characid widely distributed inSouth America and frequently used as bait. The harvesting ofwild fish to supply the market has a significant environmentalimpact. The effect of photoperiod and temperature on ovarianmaturation is assessed to evaluate its potential to manipulatereproduction. Fish were exposed to three treatments (in triplicate):(light hours: L/temperature: °C) 12 L/20°C, 24 L/20-25°C,and 9.8?13.3 L/20-25°C. Gonadosomatic index (GSI), plasmaestradiol (E2), oocyte diameter, and vitellogenic oocyte percentagewere estimated. Mean GSI, E2 values, oocyte diameter, andpercentage were significantly higher in 9.8?13.3 L/20-25°C thanin the other treatments, indicating ovarian maturation. In turn,these values were minimal in the 24 L/20-25°C treatment,revealing ovarian regression. These results suggest that inC. interruptus, the photoperiod is the primary driver of gonadalmaturation and the temperature plays a secondary role. Thisstudy demonstrated that manipulation of ovarian developmentis possible through the design of photothermal regimes basedon the winter-spring transition.