A reprodução e o início da vida de Hoplias malabaricus (Erythrinidae Characiformes) na Amazônia Central

Abstract

Hoplias malabaricus is a predator fish widely distributed in South America. It is found frequently in the Amazon but its biology in the region is relatively unknown. We present here a description of its reproduction and early life history in a floodplain lakes of Rio Solimões. The fecundity of H. malabaricus is relatively low and increases with fish size. The mean diameter of ripe ovocytes are 1.5 mm. Egg masses were found in the edges of the floodplain littoral. The larvae hatched with 4.7 mm of length and details of its larval development is here presented.