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Abstract:
This paper deals with the reproduction in captivity of the oscar fish, Astronotus ocellatus
(CUVIER), according to the natural and sexing mating methods. The data presented cover a period of
over 20 years, involving 189 couples.
Independent of mating methods, the frequencies of spawns showed a direct relation to the
occurrence of rains. One to two percent of the couples were sterile. Individuals were sexually mature
at a little less than 1 year, and continued reproducing until they were 9 and 10 years of age.
The intervals between spawns and the production of fingerlings were dependent on the mating
methods. These dependences are reflected in the total number of fingerlings produced
per couple during the entire adult period.
The natural mating of the oscar is preferable in fishculture stations for genetic and economic
reasons; the former because of the sexual selection practised by the reproducers and the latter due to
the greater fecundity of the couples.
