Reproductive Cycle and Fecundity of Tristramella simonies (Gunther, 1864) (Teleostei: Cichlidae) in the Northern Great River (Lattakia, Syria)

Abstract

This research was conducted to study the reproductive cycle and fecundity of the fish Tristramella simonis in the Northern Great River (Nahr Alkabeer Alshmali) north of Lattakia city. 263 individuals were collected from the northern great river, during the period between July 2017 and June 2018. Samples were collected every 15 days using gill nets, which its pores diameter ranged from 16 to 20 mm and using cages (1 × 1 × 1 m). The total length of the collected fish ranged from 9.5 to 16.5 cm, and their weights ranged from 19.5 to 112.27 g. Samples contained (128 females) and (88 males) and (47) undetected. Results of Gonado Somatic Index (GSI) showed that the reproduction period was between April and August with three obvious peaks of maturity. Where the highest value of GSI was (10.06±8.46) % for females and (0.13 ± 0.05) % for males. Results of Hepato Somatic Index (HSI) was concurrence highly with the ecological and physiological changes, which result from changes in sexual activity during the reproductive cycle. Where the highest value of HSI attained 3.79 ± 1.86 % for females and attained 3.95 ± 1.38 % for males. In the first sexual maturity, the length attained 13.31 cm for females and (14.87 cm) for males. The sexual rate was (1: 0.7), which means 40.7 % males and 59.3 % females in the population. The absolute fecundity ranged from 940 to 1229 egg. While the relative fecundity ranged between 158- 215 egg/ g of ovary weight. Egg diameter during reproduction season ranged between 2.4- 4 mm, with several sizes, which mean a relatively long reproduction term