Aquaculture as a tool to support goby‐fry fishery? Current knowledge on biology and ecology of the red‐tailed goby Sicyopterus lagocephalus

Abstract

Sicydiinae species are amphidromous gobies, adults spawn in freshwater, whereas free embryos undergo a pelagic open sea phase. Post‐larvae or juveniles are caught for human consumption when entering in freshwater after their pelagic larvae life in seawater. Such goby‐fry fisheries are existing since centuries and widespread in tropical areas over the world. There are uncertainties related to caught volumes and trends but, overall, go‐fry fisheries are declining and their sustainability is questionable. Aquaculture is a potential tool in conservation and management of wild goby stocks. Among Sicydiinae species, the red‐tailed goby Sicyopterus lagocephalus is the most spread and used as a model species in numerous works involving amphidromous fish. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential in aquaculture of the red‐tailed goby through the analysis of the literature available on this species. We found that this species has some assets to be a potential candidate for aquaculture such as a short production cycle and a high fecundity as well as potential high market values. Nevertheless, given the small size at hatching and the long pelagic larval life, larval rearing is likely to be a challenging rearing phase but appears to be feasible based on past experiences with other goby species. Throughout the paper, we provided recommendations for future research in red‐tailed goby aquaculture.