MOSQUITOFISH REPRODUCTION - EFFECTS OF PHOTOPERIOD AND NUTRITION

Photoperiods of 13L:11D and 15L:9D stimulated reproductive development in mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). However, nutritional limitations of the artificial flake diet were correlated with heavy mortality among developing females. Dietary supplements (tubificid worms) with increased lipids (+41%), protein (+26%), and calories (+12%) decreased fish mortality, increased reproduction, and increased hepatic and gonadal lipids in female mosquitofish at 25-degrees-C. Photostimulated (15L:9D) fish showed a reproductive surge 11-12 weeks before fish on naturally increasing (control) photoperiods, when both groups had adequate nutrition.