Hormones in Aquaculture/Fish

Reproduction
Dr. Craig Kasper
Introduction
New innovative hatchery techniques have evolved as
global demand for fish increases.

Many fish spawn in environments that are nearly
impossible to simulate in a hatchery.

Hormone-induced spawning is the only reliable method
to induce reproduction in these fishes.

Now fish may be spawned nearly any time of year
providing environmental conditions and cues are correct
for the target species.
Hormones/Fish
Hormone induced spawning of fish is nearly 75 years
old!

Surprisingly, many techniques havent changed much
during this period.

Fish such as carp, catfish, seabass, redfish and snook
were used as test fish.

Induced spawning for many other fish became merely a
modification of what was already being done.
Why Induce Fish to Spawn?
Hybrid production
Sterile fish (polyploidy)
Synchronous spawning
(simplifies production)
Max. production of fry
Produce fish outside
normal season ($$$!!)

Fish Handing
Of course be careful!! REM: These are
broodfish and money is at stake!

Fish should be captured, handled and spawned
with the greatest care possible. (Females will
reabsorb eggs if roughed up!)

Optimal environmental conditions are required to
maximize spawning potential.


Sexual Maturity Revisited
Ensuring the sexual maturity of your fish is
important.

Males can be checked or milt easily, but females
are more difficult (may require a microscope)


Environmental Conditions
photoperiod
water temperature
water quality (e.g., dissolved oxygen, pH, hardness,
salinity, alkalinity)
flooding and water current
tides/lunar cycles
weather cycles (e.g., atmospheric pressure, rainfall)
spawning substrate (e.g., aquatic plants, sticks, gravel,
mats, caverns)
nutrition
disease and parasites
presence of other fish.
Egg/Sperm Acquisition
1. Tank spawning

2. Hand stripping (taking eggs)

3. Surgically removing the eggs

1. Tank Spawning w/hormones
Simplest method for obtaining a hatchery spawn.

Brood fish of both sexes are placed together in the
spawning tank following injection(s).

Brood fish should not be disturbed and subdued lighting
is recommended. (Frank Sinatra doesnt hurt)

The female ovulates when she is physiologically ready.

Male will stimulate the female to release eggs.
Tank Spawning
Fertilization improved if males are
preconditioned (injected prior).

Males can be used for several tank spawns.

Two or three males/female/tank can be used to
ensure fertilization. (unless aggressive)

If tank size permits, then more groups may be
in one tank.

Tank Spawning Advantages
Skilled workers (predicting the exact time of ovulation or
checking females)

Verifying ovulation is unnecessary

Rapid deterioration of eggs in the ovary after ovulation is
not a problem.

Unnecessary to check and strip the fish (<injury).

Less labor required!
Tank Spawning Disadvantages
Egg collector or suitable spawning substrate needed

Dirt/debris with the eggs, or egg clumping = fungus

Some females may not release all their eggs!

Estimation of fecundity difficult.

Cant used method for polyploidy
Hand Stripping
Also a common technique.

Broodfish kept separate.

Ovulation verified when eggs flow freely from the vent
(most spp.) (or with ultrasound!)

One hour prior to anticipated spawning females are
checked again.

Tropical species every 45 minutes or less, temp.)


Hand stripping
The fish is turned belly up and gentle finger
pressure is applied to the abdomen starting at
the pectoral fins, moving
slowly toward the vent.

Do not try to squeeze or force
the eggs from the fish (injury)!

If you only get a few eggs,
then put er back!
She aint ready!

If you make a mistake
Sacrificing your broodfish for poor technique is never a good feeling.
Hand Stripping
Water cant touch the eggs at this point!!

Water activates sperm and closes the micropyle (hole
where sperm enter egg.) For many fish, this closure takes
place within only 45 to 60 seconds.

Solution: Keep a towel handy!

Stripping of eggs used the same technique as checking
for ripeness. Firm pressure and steady flowing motions
are better than driving them out with force.
Surgical Removal
Yes, sometimes it becomes necessary to do
this.

Anatomy of some fish wont allow efficient strip
spawning.

For example, sturgeon and paddlefish have no
ovarian sac; the eggs are released into the
abdominal cavity during ovulation.

Surgical Removal
Fertilization
Once youve got the eggs, repeat the same stripping
technique with a male fish.

Milt can be added to eggs and them slightly agitated by
swirling, mixing with glass rod, or turkey feather.

Next add some water. Hardening of the eggs will occur
within several minutes in some spp.

Move eggs to the appropriate McDonald jar, etc.
Sticky Eggs?
In the wild, eggs stick together or adhere to substrate,
but in the hatchery this isnt desirable.

Silt-clay

Bentonite

Fullers Earth

Diatomaceous Earth is bad (sharp edges of diatoms
damage eggs).
Sticky Eggs
The silt-clay suspension (saturated) is combined
with fertilized eggs at 2 to 4 parts suspension to
1 part fertilized eggs. (~20 minutes)

Other options:
Tannic acid
Urea and salt
Sodium sulfite
(for recipe and mixing instructions see SRAC
handout #426)