Aspects of the reproductive biology of the marine ornamental Vagabond Butterflyfish Chaetodon vagabundus Linnaeus, 1758 (Pisces, Chaetodontidae) from Iligan Bay, Southern Philippines

Nelfa D. Canini; Ephrime B. Metillo; Cleto L. Nanola, Jr.

doi:10.22034/ijab.v11i3.1822

Authors

Nelfa D. Canini
[email protected]
Department of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences Misamis University, Ozamiz City, Philippines.
Ephrime B. Metillo Department of Marine Science, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Bonifacio Ave., Tibanga, Iligan City, Philippines.
Cleto L. Nanola, Jr. Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies, College of Science and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Mindanao, Mintal, Davao City, Philippines.

Vol. 11 No. 3 (2023): June

Articles

June 25, 2023

Downloads

PDF

Abstract
How to Cite
Metrics
References
License

The reproductive biology of ornamental fish species from coral reefs is poorly studied despite increasing demand in the aquarium trade industry. Aspects of the reproductive biology of the Vagabond butterflyfish, Chaetodon vagabundus Linnaeus, 1758, from Iligan Bay, Southern Philippines were investigated from August 2021 to August 2022. Monthly samples of 30 to 45 individuals per class size with a range of 9 to 14.1 cm (TL) were collected to examine the sex ratio, maturity stages and spawning period, gonadosomatic index (GSI), length at first maturity (L₅₀) and the batch fecundity (BF) of the species. The sex ratio showed female dominance (1:1.42) among size classes and across months. The spawning period indicates a peak during the inter-monsoon or warm months (April and May) and extends beginning of the Southwest monsoon period (June and July). These were supported by the relatively higher gonadosomatic index (GSI) recorded during these months. Histological examination showed that the ovaries during this period had the presence of numerous tertiary vitellogenic and hydrated oocytes and post-ovulatory follicles. At the same time for testes, there are occurrences of dense spermatozoa in the lumen of tubules in testes. This served as confirmatory evidence in support of the spawning period. The length at first sexual maturity of males (10.58 cm TL) was slightly shorter than females (10.91 cm TL). Fecundity increased with the fish’s total length and weight showing a non-linear relationship that was best described by a power function. This study highlighted the valuable data produced that are required for the management of the population stock of this species.

Canini, N. D., Metillo, E. B., & Nanola, Jr., C. L. (2023). Aspects of the reproductive biology of the marine ornamental Vagabond Butterflyfish Chaetodon vagabundus Linnaeus, 1758 (Pisces, Chaetodontidae) from Iligan Bay, Southern Philippines. International Journal of Aquatic Biology, 11(3), 184–195. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijab.v11i3.1822

Download Citation

Ambily V., Nandan S.V. (2017). Studies on some aspects of reproductive biology of Shovelnose catfish, Arius subrostratus (Valenciennes, 1840) from Cochin estuary, India. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 5(5): 165-171.

Amin A.M., Madkour F.F., Abu-El-Regal M.A., Moustafa A.A. (2016). Reproductive biology of Mullus surmuletus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea (Port Said). International Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering (IJESE), 7: 1-10.

Asch R.G., Erisman B. (2018). Spawning aggregations act as a bottleneck influencing climate change impacts on a critically endangered reef fish. Diversity and Distributions, 24(12): 1712-1728.

Berumen M.L., Pratchett M.S. (2006). Effects of resource availability on the competitive behaviour of butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae). Proceeding 10th International Coral Reef Symposium., pp: 644-650.

Brokovich E., Baranes A. (2005). Community structure and ecology of butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) in the Gulf of Aqaba (northern Red Sea). Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 15(S1): S45-S58.

Bray D. (2020). Chaetodon vagabundus. Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Available from https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2405. Ret-rieved 12/29/2020.

Bruckner A.W. (2005). The importance of the marine ornamental reef fish trade in the wider Caribbean. Revista de biología tropical, 53:127-137.

Bryan M., Lopez M., Tokotch B. (2011). A review of the life history characteristics of silk snapper, queen snapper, and redtail parrotfish SEDAR26-DW-01 Caribbean Southeast Data Assessment Review Workshop Report.

Carbonara P., Intini S., Modugno E., Maradonna F., Spedicato M.T., Lembo G., Carnevali O. (2015). Reproductive biology characteristics of red mullet (Mullus barbatus L., 1758) in Southern Adriatic Sea and management implications. Aquatic Living Resources, 28(1): 21-31.

Claydon J.A.B., McCormick M.I., Jones G.P. (2014). Multispecies spawning sites for fishes on a low?latitude coral reef: spatial and temporal patterns. Journal of Fish Biology, 84(4): 1136-1163.

Chen J.Y., Zeng C., Jerry D.R., Cobcroft J.M. (2020). Recent advances of marine ornamental fish larviculture: broodstock reproduction, live prey and feeding regimes, and comparison between demersal and pelagic spawners. Reviews in Aquaculture, 12(3): 1518-1541.

Colin P.L. (1989). Aspects of the spawning of western Atlantic butterflyfishes (Pisces: Chaetodontidae). Environmental Biology Fish. 25: 131-141.

Dalzell P., Ganaden R. (1987). The overfishing of small pelagic fish stocks in the Philippines. RAPA Rep, 10: 249-256.

de Guzman A.B., Quiñones M.B., Eballe R.C., Israel M.B. (2009). Coastal environment profile of Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental. Journal of Environment and Aquatic Resources, 1(1): 43-61.

De Vlaming V.G., Chapman G.F. (1982). On the use of gonadosomatic index. Comparative Biochemistry Physiology, 73: 31-39.

Dey V.K. (2010). Ornamental fish trade – recent trends in Asia. In: Souvenir, ornamentals Kerala. Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala. pp: 39-45.

Eagderi S., Mojazi Amiri B., Adriaens D. (2013). Description of the ovarian follicle maturation of the migratory adult female bulatmai barbel (Luciobarbus capito, Guldenstadt 1772) in captivity. Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences, 12(3): 550-560.

Fricke H.W. (1986). Pair swimming and mutual partner guarding in monogamous butterflyfish (Pisces, Chaetodontidae): a joint advertisement for territory. Ethology, 73(4): 307-333.

Gharaibeh B.M., Hulings N.C. (1990). The reproduction of Chaetodon austriacus, C. fasciatus and C. paucifasciatus (Chaetodontidae, Perciformes) in the Jordan Gulf of Aqaba. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 29(1): 67-72.

Grandcourt E.M., Al Abdessalaam T.Z., Francis F. (2006). Age, growth, mortality and reproduction of the blackspot snapper, Lutjanus fulviflamma (Forsskål, 1775), in the southern Arabian Gulf. Fisheries Research, 78(2-3): 203-210.

Grimes C.B. (1987). Reproductive biology of the Lutjanidae: A review. In: J.J. Polovina, S. Ralston (Eds.) Tropical snappers and groupers. Biology and fisheries management. Westview Press. Boulder and London. p: 239-294.

Hunter J.R., Macewicz B.J. (1985). Measurement of spawning frequency in multiple spawning fishes. NOAA Technical Report NMFS. pp: 79-94.

Johannes R.E. (1980). Using knowledge of the reproductive behavior of reef and lagoon fishes to improve fishing yields. In Fish behavior and its use in the capture and culture of fishes. ICLARM Conference Proceedings, 5: 247-270).

Kamukuru A.T., Mgaya Y.D. (2004). Effects of exploitation on reproductive capacity of blackspot snapper, Lutjanus fulviflamma (Pisces: Lutjanidae) in Mafia Island, Tanzania. African Journal of Ecology, 42(4): 270-280.

Lacuna M.L., Alviro M.P. (2014). Diversity and abundance of benthic foraminifera in nearshore sediments of Iligan City, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. Animal Biology and Animal Husbandry, 6(1).

Lobel P.S. (1989). Ocean current variability and the spawning season of Hawaiian reef fishes. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 24(3): 161-171.

Lowerre-Barbieri S.K., Ganias K., Saborido-Rey F., Murua H., Hunter J.R. (2011). Reproductive timing in marine fishes: variability, temporal scales, and methods. Marine and Coastal Fisheries, 3(1): 71-91.

Lowerre?Barbieri S., DeCelles G., Pepin P., Catalán I.A., Muhling B., Erisman B., Tringali M.D. (2017). Reproductive resilience: a paradigm shift in understanding spawner?recruit systems in exploited marine fish. Fish and Fisheries, 18(2): 285-312.

Monteiro-Neto C., Cunha F.E.D.A., Nottingham M.C., Araújo M.E., Rosa I.L., Barros G.M.L. (2003). Analysis of the marine ornamental fish trade at Ceará State, northeast Brazil. Biodiversity and Conservation, 12(6): 1287-1295.

Motta P.J. (1989). Dentition patterns among Pacific and Western Atlantic butterflyfishes (Perciformes, Chaetodontidae): relationship to feeding ecology and evolutionary history. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 25(1): 159-170.

Murua H., Kraus G., Saborido-Rey F., Witthames P.R., Thorsen A., Junquera S. (2003). Procedures to estimate fecundity of marine fish species in relation to their reproductive strategy. Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science, 33:33-54

Nanami A., Kurihara T., Kurita Y., Aonuma Y., Suzuki N., Yamada H. (2010). Age, growth and reproduction of the humpback red snapper Lutjanus gibbus off Ishigaki Island, Okinawa. Ichthyological Research, 57(3): 240-244.

Nikolsky G. (1963). The ecology of fishes (Transelated from Russian), Academic Press, London, UK. 456 p.

Nowicki J.P., O’Connell L.A., Cowman P.F., Walker S.P., Coker D.J., Pratchett M.S. (2018). Variation in social systems within Chaetodon butterflyfishes, with special reference to pair bonding. PloS one, 13(4): e0194465.

Palla H.P., Gonzales B.J., Sotto F.B., Ilano A.S., Tachihara K. (2016). Age. Growth and mortality of brown stripe snapper Lutjanus vitta (Quoy and Gaimard 1824) from West Sulu Sea, Philippines. Asian Fisheries Science, 29: 28-42.

Palla H. P., Sotto F.B. (2021). Reproductive biology of brownstripe snapper Lutjanus vitta (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824) from West Sulu Sea, Philippines. The Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research, 47(1): 67-73.

Policansky D. (1993). Fishing as a cause of evolution in fishes. In: The exploitation of evolving resources. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. pp: 1-18.

Pomeroy R.S. (2012). Managing overcapacity in small-scale fisheries in Southeast Asia. Marine Policy, 36(2): 520-527.

Pouil S., Tlusty M.F., Rhyne A.L. Metian M. (2020). Aquaculture of marine ornamental fish: Overview of the production trends and the role of academia in research progress. Reviews in Aquaculture, 12(2): 1217-1230.

Ralston S. (1975). Aspects of the age and growth, reproduction, and diet of the millet-seed butterflyfish, Chaetodon miliaris (Pisces: Chaetodontidae), an Hawaiian endemic. Doctoral dissertation, University of Hawai ‘i, Honolulu. 102 p.

Ralston S. (1976). Anomalous Growth and Reproductive Patterns in Populations of Chaetodon miliaris (Pisces, Chaetodontidae) from Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Science, 30(4): 395-403.

Ralston S. (1981). Aspects of the reproductive biology and feeding ecology of Chaetodon miliaris, a Hawaiian endemic butterflyfish. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 6(2): 167-176.

Robertson D.R. (1991). The role of adult biology in the timing of spawning of tropical reef fishes. The Ecology of Fishes on Coral Reefs. pp: 356-386.

Sale P.F. (1990). Recruitment of marine species: is the bandwagon rolling in the right direction? Trends Ecology and Evolution. 5(1): 25-27.

Shiratsuchi S., MacDonald C., Srinivasan M., Jones G.P. (2020). Sexual dimorphism in the horn size of a pair-forming coral reef butterflyfish. PloS one, 15(10): e0240294.

Stickney R.R., Gatlin III D.M. (2022). Aquaculture: An introductory text. Cabi. 352 p.

Tan I.V., Arai T. (2020). Reproductive characteristics of coral?reef fishes, Pomacentridae, Monodactylidae and Chaetodontidae, in the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia. Tropical Ecology, 60: 532–538.

Tricas T.C., Hiramoto J.T. (1989). Sexual differentiation, gonad development, and spawning seasonality of the Hawaiian butterflyfish, Chaetodon multicinctus. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 25(1): 111-124.

Vijay Anand P.E. (1990). Bionomics of three marine ornamental fishes of Lakshadweep with notes on habitat, feeding trials and packaging. M.F.Sc., thesis, Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Mangalore of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. 158 p.

Vijay Anand P.E., Pillai N.G.K. (2002). Reproductive biology of some common coral reef fishes of the Indian EEZ. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India, 44(1 & 2): 122-135.

Wabnitz C., Taylor M., Green E. Razak T. (2003). From ocean to aquarium. Cambridge, UK. 66 p.

Yabuta S (1997). Spawning migration in the monogamous butterflyfish, Chaetodon trifasciatus. Ichtyological Research, 44: 177-182.

Yabuta S., Berumen M.L. (2013). Social structure and spawning behavior of Chaetodon butterflyfishes. Biology of Butterflyfishes, 11: 200-25.

Yabuta S., Kawashima M. (1997). Spawning behavior and haremic mating system in the corallivorous butterflyfish, Chaetodon trifascialis, at Kuroshima Island, Okinawa. Ichthyological Research, 44(2): 183-188.

Zar J. (1984). Biostatistical Analysis. Prentice Hall, N.J. 663 p.

Zekeria Z.A., Videler J.J. (2000). Spawning seasonality in the Brownface Butterflyfish (Chaetodon larvatus). In Proc 9th International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali, Indonesia. 1: 487-492.

Zekeria Z.A., Weertman S., Samuel B., Kale-Ab T., Videler J.J. (2006). Growth of Chaetodon larvatus (Chaetodontidae: Pisces) in the southern Red Sea. Marine Biology, 148(5): 1113-1122.