Reproduction of an isolated Iranian cichlid, Iranocichla hormuzensis

The reproductive biology of the Iranian cichlid, Iranocichla hormuzensis Coad, ۱۹۸۸, was investigated for ۱۳ consecutive months in lower Mehran River, from August ۲۰۰۸ through August ۲۰۰۹. Four hundred and eighty six individuals (۲۵۲ males and ۲۳۴ females) were captured using a seine net (۵ mm mesh size). The observed sex ratio was ۱M: ۰.۹۳F (χ², df = ۱, P = ۰.۴۱۴). Mean ± SD of total length (TL) values in males and females were ۷۰.۳۴ ± ۸.۱۶ and ۶۲.۰۸ ± ۶.۵۱ mm, respectively. The frequency of ۵۶-۶۵ mm size class was higher in females and the ۶۶-۷۵ mm size class in males. A gonadosomatic index (GSI) analyses of females indicated that the reproductive period was during February-June, with a peak in March. Fecundity was best correlated with total body mass (M) (linear regression, r۲ = ۰.۶۲) condition factor (linear regression, r۲ = ۰.۶۲) and total length (TL) (linear regression, r۲ = ۰.۵۶). The absolute fecundity ranged between ۴۸-۱۶۷ eggs with a Mean ± SD of ۱۰۷ ± ۳۵.۲. Egg diameters ranged from ۰.۵۸ to ۲.۹۳ mm.

Keywords:

Fecundity , Gonadosomatic index , Hormuzgan , Mehran River , Reproduction