Effect of Photoperiod Manipulation on Spawning Time and Performance of Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

Temperature and photoperiod are known as the main stimuli of seasonal reproduction in fish. Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) is a spring spawning teleost fish species with a promising aquaculture potential and high market value. This study was conducted to assess the effect of photoperiod manipulation on spawning time and spawning performance of turbot. A total of 28 mature turbots from the Black Sea population were subjected to manipulated photoperiod (a photoperiod regime that fish would naturally receive three months later) and natural photoperiod for almost a year. While the fish exposed to natural photoperiod spawned in May, the fish exposed to manipulated photoperiod spawned almost three months earlier compared to the natural photoperiod group. Reproductive and hatchery performance of the manipulated photoperiod and natural photoperiod groups were similar. It can be emphasized that photoperiod play an important role in accelerating maturation and spawning. The findings of this study could be implemented in the turbot aquaculture industry to advance production.