Karadal, Onur Yalova Üniversitesi - Armutlu Meslek Yüksekokulu - Su Ürünleri Bölümü, Turkey , Güroy, Derya Yalova Üniversitesi - Armutlu Meslek Yüksekokulu - Su Ürünleri Bölümü, Turkey

Effect of albinism on reproductive performance on cichlid fish: Example of powder blue and snow white (Pseudotropheus socolofi) cichlids

14548

Albinism, a genetic disorders of the melanin system in which the synthesis of this pigment is reduced or lacking, occurs in all classes of vertebrates and in invertebrates. It has seen in many fish species in the natural environment. Cichlids which are one of the most exhibited groups in aquarium sector. Especially powder blue (Pseudotropheus socolofi) is often preffered by aquarists and its albino called snow white (Pseudotropheus socolofi var. albino). In this study, reproductive performance was compared between powder blue and snow white cichlids. The study was carried out in 6 tanks (450 L, fiberglass) in a recirculated system with three replicates. 25 (5 male, 20 female) adult fish (mean total weight 11.76±0.12 g and mean total lenght 8.1±0.3 cm) were placed in each of the 6 tanks with 1:4 male to female sex ratio. Eggs and fries were taken by vomiting method from females and counted for determining of reproductive performance. At the end of the 12 weeks, powder blue cichlids have shown more efficiency reproductive performance with total 570±25 seeds and snow white cichlids have shown very low performance with total 270±12 seeds (P 0.05). In conclusion, albino individuals of P. socolofi (snow white) have been put forth much lower reproductive performance compared to normal individuals (powder blue).

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Albino , cichlid , reproductive performance , powder blue , snow white , Pseudotropheus socolofi

Ege Journal Of Fisheries an‎d Aquatic Sciences

163