Breeding and domesticating Brycon siebenthalae females for reproduction

Brycon siebenthalae (yamu) (Characidae) have quite an untamable "nature", with intense, enduring responses to stress. Three groups of females were induced to spawn in order to study the effects of manipulation during breeding. Groups one and two were formed by four year-old specimens bred in earth ponds. Females from group one and two were subjected to monthly and anual "domestication" practices, respectively, from the time they were six months old. The third group of females was brought from the natural environment. It was observed that females bred and monthly tamed had better induction responses, relative fecundity and post-spawn survival. The physiological responses to different stress situations during the reproductive procedure did not significantly affect (p>0.05) fertility and embryonic and larval survival among groups.