Rearing and maturation of Lophiosilurus alexandri (Steindachner, 1876) in controlled conditions: First reports and future perspective

Lophiosilurus alexandri is a freshwater carnivorous fish for which there is fishing pressure in its natural environment, yet the species has potential for captive rearing. Information on growth and sexual development for the species is scarce, and age and size at first maturation have yet to be determined. A total of 400 fish, therefore, were reared from hatching to 968 days after hatching (DAH). Fish gonads were histologically analyzed throughout the rearing period, and growth, the hepatosomatic index and the gonadosomatic index were compared between males and females. Estradiol, testosterone and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations were quantified at 845 and 968 DAH to compare sexually mature males and females. Weight and length did not differ between males and females (P > 0.05). Males were sexually mature at 593 DAH, with body lengths of 29.88 ± 1.76 cm and weights of 444.1 ± 77.03 g, while females were sexually mature at 845 DAH, with lengths of 36.51 ± 1.06 cm and body weights of 783.05 ± 48.57 g. The results provided important information regarding the minimum capture size of L. alexandri for identifying the appropriate period to begin reproductive management of the species.