OBSERVATIONS ON REPRODUCTION OF THE POECILIID LEBISTES RETICULATUS (PETERS)

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Abstract
Virgin female Lebistes exhibit irregular brood intervals ranging from 23-45 days in contrast to an average 31 day period for continuously fertilized females. Copulation is rapid and viable sperm can be recovered from the ovary within 24 hours after mating. Fertilization therefore can occur within 24 hours if mature ova are present. The time of fertilization of ova in relation to a previous brood has been determined by use of sperm replacement technique to be 5 days post partum. The variable brood interval shown by virgin females may represent an as yet ill-defined estrous cycle in which ova mature periodically and degenerate in the absence of fertilization. Evidence is presented to indicate a cyclical nature of maximum and minimum brood production of individual female fish maintained under controlled conditions of temp. and light. The possible factors affecting brood production in Lebistes are discussed.