The effect of different substrates and temperatures on spawning performance of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)

Spawning and water temperature are important factors in the reproduction of valuable fishes such as Percids. In the present study, two types of artificial (turf) and natural (willow root) substrates were compared at two different temperatures of 11 and 12.6 °C in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca). The fish were introduced into the concrete tanks after hormone injection and one nest was installed for each breeding pair. After spawning, the nests were transferred to smaller ponds with controlled conditions for incubation. The eggs were hatched without dependence on the substrate, and there was no difference between incubation times. The results showed that the interaction between substrate type and the temperature was not significant. There was no significant difference in reproductive performance of fish by substrate type but at higher temperatures, more fish were spawned. At higher temperatures, most of the broodstock spawned during 3 to 4 days, and at lower temperatures spawned during 4 to 7 days. There was no difference in preference of fish over spawning on the specified substrate during the spawning time. The results of this study showed that spawning in a suitable temperature range and on artificial substrate had higher performance and the use of artificial substrate during semi-artificial reproduction of wild pikeperch is important for the restocking programs.