REPRODUCTIVE-BIOLOGY OF THE MARINE CATFISH, GENIDENS-GENIDENS (SILURIFORMES, ARIIDAE), IN THE JACAREPAGUA LAGOON SYSTEM, RIO-DE-JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Genidens genidens was sampled at the Jacarepagua Lagoon system (23-degrees-S, 43-degrees-W), Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, using cast nets and beach seines, to study its reproductive biology. Spawning period extended from October to February, but was more intense from December to January, coinciding with high surface water temperature and low salinity in the area. After spawning, males mouthbrood the eggs for two to three months until development is completed. Mean length at first maturity for females was approximately 180 mm TL, and at 250 mm TL, all females were mature. Batch fecundity was very low, ranging from 7 to 30 eggs for fish with 170 mm TL (37.0 g TW) to 228 mm TL (104.0 g TW), respectively, and was linearly related to fish total length and total weight. Sexual dimorphism starts after sexual maturity, with females having relatively longer pelvic fins than males. Both sexes exhibited very low condition during the spawning season, probably due to changes in feeding activity related to the reproductive cycle. A strong predominance of males during the main spawning/brooding period suggests that females migrate from the area after spawning is completed.