Maturity, growth and natural mortality rate of the introduced fish parachromis managuensis (Perciformes: Cichlidae) in the semiarid region of Brazil

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to estimate the sexual maturity, growth and mortality rates of the jaguar guapote, Parachromis managuensis, an introduced fish species in the Brazilian semiarid region. Methods: Specimens were collected between December 2015 and November 2016, in a dam at Serra Talhada municipality, Pernambuco, where the species was abundant. Results: In total, 520 individuals were analyzed, with total lengths (TL) varying between 23 and 240 mm. Length at sexual maturity varied between 130.87 and 140.68 mm TL (Mean = 135.78 mm TL). Through the modal progression of monthly frequency distributions, the following growth parameters were obtained according to the von Bertalanffy model: L∞ = 341.40 mm, k = 0.840 and t0 =-0.035 year-1. Ages varied from 0.05 to 1.41 year, and an age at first maturity between 0.48 and 0.53 year (Mean = 0.51 year), with the largest part of the sample (72.64%) made of adult individuals. Natural mortality rates (M) were estimated from three different methods, varying between 1.53 and 3.04, with a mean of 2.27. Conclusions: P. managuensis shows fast growth and maturation and high natural mortalities, which grants it biological advantages when compared to native species from the same trophic level in the area.