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Bohlen, J.


Reproduction of spined loach, Cobitis taenia (Cypriniformes, Cobitidae) under laboratory conditions


Journal of Applied Ichthyology 15: 49-53


Journal of Applied Ichthyology 15: 49-53 (1999)

Reproduction of spined loach, Cobitis taenia, (Cypriniformes; Cobitidae) under laboratory conditions

BOHLEN J.

 

Abstract

A simple and reliable method is described for breeding spined loach, Cobitis taenia, under laboratory conditions. Three forty-litre aquaria were each provided with a thick tuft of moss placed on top of a gauze-covered plastic box to serve as a spawning site. Ovoposition always occured in the most dense available vegetation. The non-adhesive eggs fell through the gauze into the box. The spined loach is a fractional spawner releasing eggs in 14 – 18 batches at intervals of 2 to 23 (median 6) days. The total number of eggs per female was 2905 to 4282 during the reproductive season of 101 to 120 days. Yolks measured 1.14 ± 0.07 mm and eggs were 2.54 ± 0.22 mm in diameter. Total larval length was 5.03 ± 0.34 mm at hatching and 6.77 ± 0.34 mm at the beginning of exogenous feeding. The method allowed the rearing of numerous young for conservation measures and experimental investigations.