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Reproductive biology of four large riverine fishes (Cyprinidae) in a man-made lake, Orange River, South Africa

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Abstract

The reproductive biology ofBarbus holubi, B. kimberleyensis, Labeo capensis andL. umbratus was examined in a large reservoir on the Orange River, South Africa. The findings are integrated into the existing knowledge on largeBarbus andLabeo species, which coexist in most river systems in Africa and Asia.

LargeBarbus spawn on gravel beds within the river channel during floods in spring or summer. In continuously flowing regulated rivers, time of spawning is governed by water temperatures. They have moderate fecundity; large eggs, incubation time of several days and the larvae are initially immobile with large yolk sacs. In the impoundment, they spawn in the inflowing regulated river withB. kimberleyensis spawning four to six weeks later than the more cold-tolerantB. holubi, the dominant largeBarbus. Survival is generally good and the juveniles disperse throughout the lake, but unseasonal release of cold water from an upstream impoundment may cause poor reproductive success.

In contrast,Labeo species generally spawn on newly flooded ground, usually leaving the main river channel. Spawning may or may not be preceded by a longitudinal migration. Labeos are relatively fecund with small (30%Barbus size) eggs which hatch quickly and the larvae swim in bursts up into the water column before sinking down again.L. capensis does not require a longitudinal spawning migration and breeds throughout the lake, depending on local conditions. Large temporal variation in gonadal development within the population can result in more than one spawning. Dispersal within the lake is poor.L. umbratus uses larger inflowing tributaries for spawning thanL. capensis and its juveniles have a much greater power of dispersal. Early dependence on external feeding and undependable occurrence of conditions for spawning and juvenile feeding makes for variable reproductive success.

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Author notes

  1. T. Tómasson

    Present address: Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Hólar i Hjaltadal, 551, Saudárkrókur, Iceland

  2. J. A. Cambray

    Present address: Cape Department of Nature and Environmental Conservation, Douglas Hey Limnological Research Station, P.O. Box 23, 8771, Vanderkloof, Republic of South Africa

Authors and Affiliations

  1. J. L. B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Private Bag 1015, 6140, Grahamstown, Republic of South Africa

    T. Tómasson, J. A. Cambray & P. B. N. Jackson

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  1. T. Tómasson
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Tómasson, T., Cambray, J.A. & Jackson, P.B.N. Reproductive biology of four large riverine fishes (Cyprinidae) in a man-made lake, Orange River, South Africa. Hydrobiologia 112, 179–195 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00008084

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