Reproductive biology of the tigris scraper, capoeta umbla (Heckel, 1843) population living in Solhan Creek of Murat River (Bingöl, Turkey)

Abstract

We studied the reproductive traits in 23 of 190 individuals of Capoeta umbla caught monthly in the Solhan Creek of the Murat River between April 2017 and March 2018. The sex ratio (F:M) was found to be 1:1.11. The macroscopic examination of the gonads and gonadosomatic index indicated that the reproductive period lasted from May to August with peak activity in May. The fecundity ranged from 2,000 to 9,000 oocytes, and it correlated with the total length and body weight. This work represents the first attempt to investigate the reproductive traits of the Capoeta umbla population in the Solhan Creek. The results provide information on the reproductive biology and contribute to the conservation of the fish population and its sustainable management.