ADVANCES IN REPRODUCTION OF THE LEBRANCHE MULLET Mugil liza: MATURATION AND SPAWNING OF F1 BREEDERS IN CAPTIVITY

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive response of mullets born in captivity (F1) using hormonal induction. Therefore, it was described maturation and induced spawning of mullet (Mugil liza) breeders born in captivity (F1). F1 males presented viable sperm at 11 months of age, with length of 25.7 ± 0.4 cm and weight of 205.7 ± 11.5 g. In contrast, at three years of age F1 females could be reproduced, with length of 47.4 ± 1.4 cm and weight of 1263.0 ± 64.6 g. Ten spawnings were conducted, and the average diameter of the oocytes at the time of hormonal induction, fertilization rate, total and relative fertility and hatching rate were recorded. Spawning was attained through hormonal induction in females with oocyte diameter greater than 600 µm and in males that released semen with abdominal massage. During this reproductive period, induced females produced a second group of mature oocytes so another hormonal induction was performed. The present study describes the induction of mullet breeders born in captivity and the possibility of females to be induced more than once during the same reproductive period.