Fecundity and fertility of the longsnout seahorse, Hippocampus reidi (Teleostei: Syngnathidae), in tropical Brazil

Abstract

The longsnout seahorse, Hippocampus reidi Ginsburg, from the estuary of the Maracaípe River, in Ipojuca, PE, was studied in the field and laboratory between July/2001 and October/2002. Macroscopic analysis of its ovary showed that the structure is morphologically similar to the gonads of other marine teleosts, which are in the shape of a “Y.” Histologically, the ovary exhibited a pattern of germinal ridges that had oogonia similar to those found in pipefish (relatives of Hippocampus). Hippocampus reidi exhibited partial spawning, telolecithal eggs, an average fecundity rate of 839.66 oocytes per lot, an average fertility rate of 691.4 offspring per brood pouch, oocytes that were 1.5–2.0 × 1.0 mm and newborns that were 5.0–7.0 mm tall. There was no correlation between the height or weight of a male and the number of embryos it incubated.