Batch spawning in five species of minnows (Cyprinidae) from Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Batch spawning, the act of spawning more than once within a spawning season, is assessed in six species of minnows (Cyprinidae) from Ontario, Canada. The bimodal frequency distribution of egg size in mature specimens suggests that the following species are batch spawners: Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), Brassy Minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni), Common Shiner (Luxilus cornutus), Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus), and Hornyhead Chub (Nocomis biguttatus). However, there is no evidence that Northern Pearl Dace (Margariscus nachtriebi) is a batch spawner. Thus, we now have evidence that 11 of 39 cyprinid species in Ontario are batch spawners. Knowledge about the reproductive habits of these species should be integrated into the comprehensive standards for the protection of fish habitat in Ontario to ensure the survival of populations.