Effect of Female Weight on Reproductive Performance of European Seabass Dicentrarchus Labrax

Abstract

The present study was carried out at Marine Finfishes Hatchery located at the 21 Km. west of Alexandria, Alexandria governorates. The hatchery belongs to the General Authority for Fish Resources Development (GAFRD), Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt. The study aimed to study the effect of female body weights on reproductive traits of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). The experimental period extended during the period from December 2020 to Abril 2021. A total number of 30 females as parent stock of European seabass representing three weight groups up to 1500 gm, >1500-2000 gm and > 2000-2500 gm for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (10 each) were stocked in three fiberglass circular tanks (at diameter 2.5m and about size 10m 3 ).Total egg weight (g) per female (EW/F) and egg diameter (µm) (ED) were significantly affected by female weights groups. Absolute and relative fecundity were 56001.10, 60469.10 and 65368.69; 47.51, 43.35 and 38.40 for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Female body weights had significant effect on both absolute and relative fecundity. Hatchability percentage were found to be 63.31, 64.15 and 64.36 % for the three female weights groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively.