Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Importance of habitat characteristics on reproduction: The case study of the influence of nest size on Lusitanian toadfish’s reproductive success

International Conference on Aquaculture & Fisheries

July 20-22, 2015 Brisbane, Australia

Rita Andreia Oliveira Carriço

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Aquac Res Development

Abstract:

Reproductive success on fishes is the main goal of fish farms. The profit of aquaculture companies relies on that. Thus, it is important to deepen the knowledge of the main factors that exert influence on reproduction. The habitat and its characteristics have a major influence on the reproductive cycle. To improve farming methods is essential to know the species preferences in terms of habitat. In species with paternal care as some teleost fishes, the quality of nests where they deposit the eggs is crucial for their fitness. In some species as the Lusitanian toadfish (Halobatrachus didactylus) and the Sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus) males tend to choose nest proportional to their own body size and the area of the nest has a substantial contribution to the reproductive success of males, where owners of larger nests receive on average a higher number of eggs. Other species, for example the three-spine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) have been found to choose the larger nests or territories available in the absence of competition. Nest size is thus a key factor on male´s reproductive success of many species; however in the Lusitanian toadfish (H. didactylus) the choice for nest size depends on a compromise between costs and benefits.