Breeding system for Astyanax mexicanus

Abstract

Astyanax mexicanus is a Mexican native fish that have surface and cave phenotypes. Due to their distinctive characteristics caused by and independent evolution it is a model for studies on evolution and development, and it could be used for cross-species comparisons in aquaculture since it is close related to economically important species. A. mexicanus have been in the aquarium trade in the United States since the early 1940s, however, there are no reports of its production inside Mexico. We propose a breeding system to enable the establishment of experimental and commercial lineages available for trade. The system was made in a rack structure, with interchangeable modular fish tanks. To induce the spawning of the species, an overnight temperature change its needed, requiring an increment for the cave fish and a temperature reduction for the surface fish. A temperature regulation trial was performed, changing the temperature from 26°C to 22°C overnight and turning it back to 26°C at the next morning. The obtained temperature gradient was adequate to give the spawning condition of the species as stated in previous studies. The proposed system its adequate to start breeding trials with different A. mexicanus populations.