The breeding biology of the southern barred minnow Opsaridium peringueyi (Gilchrist and Thompson 1913) in the Incomati and Luvuvhu river systems, South Africa

Abstract

Data collected at two sites in the Luvuvhu and Sabie rivers show that, based on the gonadosomatic index,Opsaridium peringueyi has one major annual breeding event that occurs in early summer, following a period during which the general condition of fish improves. Visual observation and microscopic measurement of oocyte sizes show that females reached sexual maturity at a fork length of c. 70 mm. Males were mature at a fork length of c. 60 mm. Measured ovum diameters showed ova up to a maximum of 1.8 mm in diameter, while egg counts showed that the species has a relatively low total fecundity.

Keywords: condition factor, fecundity, gonadosomatic index, size at sexual maturity

African Journal of Aquatic Science 2011, 36(2): 129–137