Effect of salinity on gestation period, fry production, and growth performance of the sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna Lesueur) in captivity

Abstract

Breeding and growth trials were carried out with Poecilia latipinna in different salinities (0.5, 10, 15, 25, and 35‰) and effects on gestation period, fry production, and fry growth (75 days) were examined. Results showed that while P. latipinna successfully spawned in all salinities, there was a significant difference in fry production among treatments. The minimum gestation period was 28 days in all salinities except fresh water (0.5%.); the maximum fry production was obtained in 25‰. Fry growth was highest in 10‰ and significantly differed (p<0.05) from the rest of treatments in terms of weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Maximum SGR was 3.35% per day in 10‰ salinity. FCR ranged 4.28-5.67. The results suggest that the optimum salinities for breeding and rearing P. latipinna are around 25‰ and 10‰, respectively.