Topic > Reproduction - 1931

Reproduction is one of the important physiological systems in the life cycle of living organisms, including fish. The main goal of reproduction is to maintain the existence of the species and therefore fish have strategies and tactics to achieve this goal. It is important to study reproductive behaviors in relation to knowledge of fish population dynamics and their breeding seasons. This information is crucial in relation to the development of farming technology for aquaculture and conservation (restocking) purposes. This article examines the reproductive strategy, fecundity and spawning frequency of fish. Studies on the reproductive behavior of fish are important and represent a fundamental requirement for the improvement and effective management and conservation of fisheries resources (Ali & Kadir, 1996; Ezenwaji et al., 1998; Brewer et al., 2008; Grandcourt et al., 2009), determination of basic information on the history of life and to evaluate the impacts of environmental variability on the dynamics of fish populations (Schlosser, 1990). Information on the reproductive system is essential for the development of commercial aquaculture of an aquatic species (Muchlisin, 2004). Natural challenge leads fish to maximize lifetime offspring production and, more importantly, to maximize offspring survival to adulthood (Murua & Sabodiro-Rey, 2003). Here, we examined some aspects of fish reproductive biology such as reproductive strategy, fecundity and spawning frequency. The reproductive strategies of fish are often reflected in the anatomical differences between the sexes, male and female. The goal of a reproductive strategy is to maximize reproductively active offspring… at the center of the paper… to produce fewer eggs (Matthews, 1998). In species whose eggs develop in open water or are scattered freely on the bottom, population strength is usually maintained by high fecundity relative to small egg size. The development of adaptations for caring for offspring is accompanied by a decrease in fecundity and usually an increase in the size of the eggs with a noticeable increase in energy resources for the embryo and allows the embryo to develop without obtaining exogenous food and to achieve an active life at a higher level of differentiation and ensuring greater survival. (Ginzburg, 1972). On the other hand, relative fecundity is based on the weight of the fish. In most fishes the number of eggs does not change significantly as the season progresses and relative fecundity is constant throughout the season (Bagenal, 1978). To compare fecundity among fish, relative fecundity is commonly used.