Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
http://www.alb.periodikos.com.br/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X7725
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Original Article

Reproductive biology traits of two invasive fish species in Rio Doce State Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Traços da biologia reprodutiva de duas espécies invasoras de peixe no Parque Estadual do Rio Doce, MG, Brasil

Ludmila Silva Brighenti; Gabriel Rossi Diniz Costa; Thaís Paula de Araújo; Lorena Torres Oporto; Hélio Batista dos Santos; Ralph Gruppi Thomé

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X7725 Acta Limnol. Bras. (Online), vol.38, e21, 2026
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Abstract

Aim: This study aims to analyze the reproductive biology of two invasive fish species, tucunaré (Cichla kelberi) and red piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri), introduced into the middle Rio Doce Lake system (southeastern Brazil).

Methods: Quarterly samplings were carried out from 2018 to 2019 using gillnets and casting nets. For each individual, biometric data were recorded and the gonadal maturation stage was determined by macroscopic and histological analyses. Sex ratio, length–weight relationship, gonadosomatic index, and reproductive stages were analyzed to characterize reproductive patterns.

Results: A total of 132 red piranhas and 33 tucunarés were captured. Both species presented males and females at all reproductive stages throughout the year indicating asynchronous spawning and successful reproduction in the invaded environment. A higher frequency of spawned females occurred in July and September for tucunaré, corresponding to the dry season, and between December and March for red piranha, coinciding with the rainy season. The species exhibited distinct growth patterns: positive allometric growth for the tucunaré and negative for the red piranha. Histological analyses revealed typical gonadal development patterns for freshwater fish, with traits associated with parental care behavior.

Conclusions: The tucunaré showed reproductive activity toward the dry season, contrasting with the well-defined rainy season reproductive peak observed for the red piranha. This suggests a potential temporal partitioning of reproductive niches. The results reinforce that both species are successfully reproducing under local environmental conditions and highlight the ecological risks associated with their introduction into protected Atlantic Forest ecosystems.

Keywords

biological invasions; reproduction; Cichla kelberi; Pygocentrus nattereri; non-native species

Resumo

Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a biologia reprodutiva de duas espécies de peixes invasoras, o tucunaré (Cichla kelberi) e a piranha-vermelha (Pygocentrus nattereri), introduzidas no sistema lacustre do Médio Rio Doce, sudeste do Brasil.

Métodos: Amostragens trimestrais foram realizadas entre 2018 e 2019 com redes de emalhar e de arrasto. Para cada indivíduo, registraram-se dados biométricos e o estágio de maturação gonadal foi determinado por análises macroscópicas e histológicas. A proporção sexual, a relação comprimento-peso, o índice gonadossomático e os estágios reprodutivos foram analisados para caracterizar os padrões reprodutivos.

Resultados: Foram capturados 132 indivíduos de piranha-vermelha e 33 de tucunaré. Ambas as espécies apresentaram machos e fêmeas em todos os estágios reprodutivos ao longo do ano, indicando desova assíncrona e reprodução bem-sucedida no ambiente invadido. Maior frequência de fêmeas desovadas ocorreu em julho e setembro para o tucunaré (não significativa) e entre dezembro e março para a piranha-vermelha (significativa). As espécies exibiram padrões de crescimento distintos, com alometria positiva para o tucunaré e negativa para a piranha-vermelha. Análises histológicas revelaram padrões típicos de desenvolvimento gonadal em peixes de água doce, com características associadas ao cuidado parental.

Conclusões: O tucunaré apresenta tendência reprodutiva associada à estação seca, enquanto a piranha-vermelha apresenta pico bem definido na estação chuvosa, sugerindo partição temporal dos nichos reprodutivos. Os resultados indicam que ambas as espécies se reproduzem com sucesso sob as condições locais e destacam riscos ecológicos associados à sua introdução em ecossistemas protegidos da Mata Atlântica, com potenciais impactos negativos adicionais relevantes.

Palavras-chave

invasões biológicas; reprodução; Cichla kelberi; Pygocentrus nattereri; espécies não-nativas

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Submitted date:
03/11/2025

Accepted date:
04/08/2026

Publication date:
04/09/2026

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