Life cycle of Sciades herzbergii (Siluriformes: Ariidae) in a mangrove on the island of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract

During the life cycle of a teleost there are three basic events: feeding, growth and reproduction, which are closely linked and related to environmental conditions. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the role of mangroves in the life cycle of the species Sciades herzbergii. Thus, in this study aspects of the population of S. herzbergii present in a mangrove in Raposa, Maranhão, Brazil were addressed; encompassing length distribution and macroscopic analysis of the gonads. Sampling was monthly. 316 specimens of fish were collected, of which 6 males, 7 females and 303 with undetermined sex. The length amplitude varied between 100 to 406 mm, with an average of 167.32 mm, and a standard deviation of 44.41.