Reproductive tactics of the freshwater fish Brycon guatemalensis (Teleostei: characidae) in the lake Nicaragua

Abstract

The Machaca Brycon guatemalensis is a tropical freshwater fish widely distributed in Central America continental water, and recognized to have potentiality for further fisheries development and recreational fishing opportunities in the Lake Nicaragua. The species presents a protracted spawning season that last 8 months. Both small and large females start spawning activity in July, but this is females size-dependent. The female length at 50 % maturity based on histological procedures was 27.3 cm, which differs from the ones previously reported based on the gonad macroscopic observations (34.9 cm). The present study indicates that B. guatemalensis has determinate fecundity and group-synchronous type ovarian organization. The studies of the potential annual fecundity of the species show that this allometrically increases above three with female size, indicating that larger females produce more eggs than predicted by weight. These results can be incorporated in the current fishery management to promote sustainability.