Reproductive biology characteristics of Gobiid fish Oxyurichthys ophthalmonema (Bleeker, 1856) in the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon, Thua Thien Hue province

Abstract

Gobiid fish, Oxyurichthys ophthalmonema (Bleeker, 1856), is a brackish-water species living in the brackish coastal water with high biodiversity, Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon. They have been identified as commercially valuable species, nutrient-rich, and with great potential for artificial seed production. This study provides scientific data for artificial seed production and commercial farming of O. ophthalmonema, specifically focusing on research results on the reproductive biology of O. ophthalmonema through the study of the anatomical structure of the sex organs, describing the stages of gonad development, reproductive power, and the length of first maturation. Gobiid samples were continuously collected in the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon for 12 months, from April 2021 to March 2022. Research results indicate that the spawning season of O. ophthalmonema lasts from April to October, peaking between May and July. The mean absolute fecundity of O. ophthalmonema was 73,381 eggs and the relative fertility was 5,223 eggs/g. The average first mature length is 65 mm, and the corresponding weight is 6 g.