The influence of sex ratio on the reproduction of pirarucu, Arapaima gigas, in captivity

Abstract

ABSTRACT Because sex ratio in the broodstock can influence the reproductive behaviour of a species, the influence of sex ratio on the reproductive success of pirarucu, Arapaima gigas, in captivity was assessed. Pirarucu breeders were stocked in 0.10-0.13 ha earthen ponds at three sex ratios in quadruplicate: one male to one female (1M1F); one male to two females (1M2F); and two males to one female (2M1F). Eight spawning events occurred, seven of them with the 1M1F sex ratio, which was the most successful of the three tested sex ratios.

Keywords

• breeding pairs
• mating
• tropical fish cultivation