Reproduction of Hypoptopoma inexspectatum (Holmberg, 1893) (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) in the Southern Pantanal Floodplain, Upper Paraguay River Basin, Brazil

Abstract This work aimed to describe the reproductive biology of Hypoptopoma inexspectatum in southern Pantanal. A total 538 individuals were sampled and analyzed from February 2009 through January 2011 We did not observe differences sex-ratio, both sexes presented positive allometric length/weight relationship (LWR). Reproduction occurs mainly February. Females reached first maturation (L50) with 37.80 mm males 45.80 mm. Absolute fecundity is estimated mean=177.43 (sd±127.06) oocytes relative 3.12 (sd±2.23) oocytes/mg. Fecundity positively correlated standard length (Spearman r= 0.43; p=0.013), spawning a used strategy for H. inexspectatum.