One of the major challenges in field of aquaculture, stock management, and aquatic ecology is determine sex determination and maturity stage of maturity. The Bulatmai barbel (Luciobarbus capito) is an endangered species for which controlled reproduction has not been successfully access to date. Additionally, sex determination for breeding and stock management operations has not been feasible.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the possibility of using the laparoscopic method for sex determination in Bultamai barbel to identify and distinguish male and female fish for artificial reproduction and stock conservation.
METHODS: Six Bulatmai barbel within a weight range of 1350-5025 g, caught from by beach seine, were anesthetized using clove powder extract and underwent a 0.9-1 cm incision in the abdominal wall using a laparoscopic device. Observation of the gonads was done through a cystoscope connected to a monitor, and samples were taken for histological analysis. The After the sex determination operation, the abdominal incision was closed with 1-2 simple sutures.
RESULTS: Of the six fish evaluated, four females fish in the final maturity stage and two males fish in the spermiation stage were accurately identified and distinguished. There was a significant difference in the anesthesia time between males and females, but no difference was observed in the recovery time between two sexes. All the fish were survived after the sex determination operation.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that laparoscopy is a rapid and highly accurate method for sex determination in Bulatmai barbel, and it can be used in hatchery conditions for reproduction and conservation management of the natural stocks of this valuable species.