HUE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

LE THI NHU PHUONG

RESEARCHING ON BIOLOGICAL
CHARACTERISTICS AND PROPAGATION
ABILITY OF Terapon jarbua (Forsskål, 1775) IN
COASTAL AREAS OF THUA THIEN HUE

THESIS SUMMARY

HUE, 2019


The work was completed at
THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HUE UNIVERSITY

Science instructors:
1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Van Phu
2. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Linh

Reviewer 1: .........................................................................
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Reviewer 2: .........................................................................
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Reviewer 3: .......................................................................
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The thesis was defended at the Council of thesis assessment
of Hue University:

benefits of T. Jarbua in coastal and lagoon areas of Thua Thien Hue,
intensive research on the biological characteristics and fertility of the
T. jarbua to proceed to artificial breed production that aims to be
proactive in providing stable and quality breed sources for
aquaculturists, contributing to species conservation and development.
Hence, we choosed this topic research: "Researching on biological
characteristics and propagation ability of Terapon Jarbua
(Forsskål, 1775) in coastal area of Thua Thien Hue."

1


1. Necessary of the research
Through the first steps of surveying the recent researches on T.
Jarbua’s family in generally and on T. Jarbua both worldwide and in
Vietnam in particular, as well as exploiting and fishing T. Jarbua in
Vietnam, the research topic was selected for these following reasons:
- In the world, the studies of the family of T. Jarbua in generally and
of T. Jarbua in particular mainly focused on biological
characteristics, distribution and its habitat.
- Some studies of T. Jarbua in Vietnam mainly focus on description,
distribution, some biological characteristics, there has not been any
study focused on artificial reproduction.
- T. Jarbua is considered to have many prospects for growing in the
lagoon area of Thien Thien Hue because of its good resistance,
energy, commercial value, high nutritional value, and being flavored
by many people. However, aquaculture of T. Jarbua has not been
developed as its potential prospect because of shortage of breeding
source, and especially, artificial produced breeds to supply large
quantities for demanding. Hence, the study of biological

techniques of the production of T. Jarbua breeds will be an important
source of documents for the improvement and development of the
production of breedings and growing breeds, to proactively supply
breeds for aquaculture, diversifying objects and aquaculture models,
contributing to sustainable development of aquaculture in coastal
areas.
5. Contribution of dissertation
- For the first time, providing basic and complete documents on
biological characteristics, especially reproductive characteristics of
Terapon jarbua in coastal areas of Thua Thien Hue province.
- Providing artificial breeding process of Terapon jarbua to breed
proactively in problem of fish cultivation in coastal areas of Thua
Thien Hue.
6. The layout of the thesis
In addition to the appendix, the thesis is presented in 109 pages, the
layout includes the following sections:
Preface
Content: Three chapters
Chapter 1: Document overview
Chapter 2: Subject, location, time and methods of reseaching
Chapter 3: Result and conclusion
Summary and suggestion
References
Appendix

3


Chapter 1.
THE DOCUMENT OVERVIEW

the above studies, it can be seen that the T. Jarbua has a wide
distribution area and distributed in rivers, estuaries, coastal area and
in the saline water area as well.
In Vietnam, the studies on Teraponidae family and
Teraponidae family mainly focused on composition of spieces,
identifying Teraponidae family including economic-value fish. The
4


research focused mainly in some estuarine, coastal areas. The study
of biological and ecological characteristics still seems to be still
limited, mainly in the central coastal provinces. A number of studies
on experiments to preserve genes and researches for conservation
and sustainable development have been undertaking.
In general, in Vietnam, studies of artificial reproduction of
marine fish are conducted mainly in coastal areas and objects are
almost economic-value fishes. In order to reproduce artificialy, the
authors used sex hormone stimulants such as hypophysis of fish, HCG,
LHRHa + Dom, Ovaprim with different doses
Currently, there has not been any study specializing in
exploration of propagation ability of Terapon jarbua in Vietnam
published in prestigious domestic and international magazines.
Therefore, the study on biological characteristics, exploration of
propagation ability of- Terapon jarbua (Forsskål, 1775) is very
essential to improve the artificial production process of breeds as
well as supplying the breed source for aquaculture in our country.
Chapter 2. OBJECTS, MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY
2.1. Objects, period and place of research
T. Jarbua (Forsskål, 1775) (picture 2.1) is located in
classification system of chordata

Thua Thien Hue, we placed the study sites about 3 kilometers from
the shoreline, that was about 20 meters of the average depth, suitable
for near-shore fishing vessels, the experimental specimens were fresh
and favorable benefit of studying the growth of collected fishes
(Figure 2.2).

(Source: Google map)
Figure 2.2. Locations of collecting the researching specimens
6


2.3.2. Places for analyzing the research specimens
Laboratory of Incubation Center and Technology Transfer
Center; Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Biology,
University of Science, Hue University.
2.3.3. Locations for exploiring breeding capacity
Breeding and artificial reproduction experiments were
conducted at the Center for Aquaculture Practices and Internship,
Research and Development Institute; Huy Son Breeding Farm in Phu
Thuan Commune, Phu Vang District, Thua Thien Hue Province.
2.4. RESEARCH METHODS
2.4.1. Diagram of the research
2.4.2. Research methods in the field
We collected fish specimens by fishing directly with
fishermen or buying them at boats, fish stations, markets along the
lagoon and along the coastal areas of Thua Thien Hue. The collected
specimens of Terapon jarbua were fresh to measure weight and
length, take scales, anatomy, ... The total number of collected
specimens during the researching period were 720.
Collecting specimens for the growth research: processed the

(1)
Lt  t  L  a   a
V

The growth equation of Von Bertalanffy (1952):
 k t t
-Length:
Lt  L 1  e   


0



- Weight: Wt  W 1  e k t t0  


2.4.3.3. Research on nutrition
Ascertaining components of feeding: food was separated
from in-research fishes‟ guts and stomaches in diferent size groups.
Observing under the microscope or magnifier loupe double eye
glasses. Drew observed specimens of food in used glasses‟s slide in
order to classify morphology of each group (taxon) and categorized
into groups.
Nutrition spectrum analysis: ascertaining nutrition spectrum of
T. jarbua by using the method of Mass spectrometry of Biswas (1993).
Ascertaining the intensity of catching grey of fish: relying on
the stomach capacity in gastrointestinal tract of fishes to evaluate the
intencity of catching grey. Stomach capacity was measured by the
satiety level of research subjects. Confirming the satiety of stomach

HCG (UI/kg)
250 500 750
02
The monitored criterias included: actual fertility (number of
eggs / females), pregnancy rate (%), hatchling rate (%).
2.4.4.4. Researching process of rearing the T. Jarbuas from Alevin
stage to fingerling stage
The process of rearing alevin stage to fingerling stage, after about
15-day age, we conducted 2 experiments.
Experiment 1: Research on the influences of different types of
feedings on survival rate from alevin stage to fingerling stage
Experiment 2: Research on the influences of salinity on the survival
rate from from alevin stage to fingerling stage
2.4.4.5. Research the process of rearing from fingerlings to breeds
Experiment 1: Research on the influences of many types of feedings
on length growth and survival rate of the fish from 15 to 40-day age
Experiment 2: Research on the influences of salinity on length
growth and survival rate of the fish from 15 to 40-day age
2.4.5. Data processing methods
Processing and analyzing the data obtained from the
experiments with the software Minitab version 16.2.0:
Using the Microsoft Excel 2010 program to draw diagram
representing the results, the monitored criteria during the experiment.

9


Chapter 3. RESEARCH RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1. BIOLOGY CHARACTERISTICS OF T. JARBUA
3.1.1. Growth characteristics


10


Weight (g)
600
400
Khối
lượng
weight

200
0
0

10

20

30

40

Length (cm)

Figure 3.1. diagram of the length - weight correlation
of T. Jarbua
3.1.1.2. Age structure
The results of scale analysis of T. Jarbua in the coastal area
of Thua Thien Hue identified populations of T. Jarbua with 5 age

Vt
 8, 6
V

The equation of length and weight growth according to Von
Bertalanffy takes the form: Lt  346,08.[1  e0,426.(t 0,323) ]
The parameters showed that T. jarbua could reach a maximum weight
of 1,132.0 g, corresponding to a maximum length of 346.08 mm.
3.1.2. Nutrition characteristics
3.1.2.1. Food ingredients
The analytical results showed that the composition of T.
Jarbua was quite diverse, including 28 types of food belonging to 8
different aquatic groups and organic residue humus. Among them,
the predominant was types of Arthropoda (accounting for 21.43%),
followed by Silica (accounting for 17.86%), Annelida and Vertebrate
fauna with the ratio of 14.29%, Cyanobacteria and Mollusca occupy
10.71%, organic residue humus accounted for 3.57%.
3.1.2.2. Intensity to catching prey
3.1.2.2.1. Intensity of catching prey over time
From the obtained results, comments could be made: T.
Jarbuas catched prey over months of the year but with different
intensity. In March and May that was the most possitive intensity. In
the dry season, fish catches more actively than the rainy season. This
could be related to water temperature and nutrient requirements for
sexual maturity.
3.1.2.2.2. Together with the gonad development
T. Jarbua's gonad developed through 6 stages. Every stage of
development of the gonads was related to the process of nutrient
accumulation, energy. This could be shown in relation of the satiety
of the fish and the development of each stage of sex maturity.

reproductive cells also underwent 4 stages: reproduction stage,
growth stage, formation stage and maturity stage.
3.1.3.2. Development stages of the gonads
According to point of view of Kiselavis K.A. (1923); Xakun
O.F. and Buskaia N.A. (1968), we used external morphological
characteristics to divide the developmental stages of the gonads of T.
Jarbua and combined with analysis of the organization structure of
the fish's male gonads to divide the process of male gonad
development and female ovary of T. Jarbua into 6 stages.
3.1.3.3. Age of sexual maturity
T. Jarbua in the coastal area of Thua Thien Hue were early
sexual matured, fish in the age 1+ group could have sex to join
oviparity. Aged 2+ to 3+ groups were the main groups involved in
oviparity during the breeding season.
3.1.3.4. Fertility
Relative reproduction of T. Jarbua in Thua Thien Hue
fluctuated not much compared to length and weight in different age
13


groups, from 967 - 999 eggs / g, averaging 982 eggs / g. Similar to
the study of Tsu-Chan Miu and cs(1990), when studying the absolute
fertility of T. Jarbua in Taiwan ranged from 37,083- 480,400 eggs
(average 145,816), the relative fertility of the fish ranged from 334 1,258 (520) eggs / g. It could be seen in the wild that T. Jarbua had a
relatively large fertility . If they were not over-fished, the ability of
repopulation of T. Jarbua in the coastal area of Thua Thien Hue
would be high and capable of repopulation.
3.2. THE BREEDING CAPACITY TEST IN TERAPON JARBUA
3.2.1. Stimulation of reproduction and hatching of T. Jarbua
3.2.1.1. Growing sexual maturity of T. Jarbua

than of the mixed feed experiments.
From the above-mentioned results of the maturity growth, it
could be confirmed that T. Jarbua was able to be normal sexual
maturity in seawater fishponds, in lagoon environment with food
source including trash fish or 50% trash fishes and 50% squids.
3.2.1.2. Stimulating T. Jarbua's reproduction
3.2.1.2.1. Influence of LRH-A3 concentration on some reproduction
indicators of T. jarbua
Thus, the appropriate concentration of LRH-A3 to stimulate T.
Jarbua's reproduction gave the best results in terms of duration,
fertility, fertilization rate and hatching rate of eggs was 70 μg / kg +
3 mg / kg DOM. The used dose of LRH-A3 for T. Jarbua to get the
success was higher than the used dose for Rachycentron canadum
(20 and 30µg / kg) and lower than the dose for M. planiceps 100 µg /
kg female).
3.2.1.2.2. Influences of HCG concentration on some reproductive
parameters of T.jarbua
We could see that the concentration of HCG only affected the
effect time (the higher the concentration, the shorter the duration of
effect) but it did not change the results of fertilization rate and
hatching rate of the T. Jarbua. The dose of HCG used in artificially
reproduction of T. jarbua was similar to that of R. canadum (250 750 UI / kg female), lower than white M. planiceps (1,500 UI / kg
female) and Lates calcarifer (4,500 UI / kg female).
Hereby,we can see that the using of different reproductive
stimulants also gave results, some stimulants effectively on some
piece may not effective on others. Therefore, in artificial
reproduction of fish, it was depended on the subject and the specific
conditions; the type, dosage and method of injecting of the
appropriate stimulants should be used to bring about high effects in
artificial reproduction.

g. Blastocyst
(5 hours 40
minutes) (x40)

h. Nerve embryos
(10 hours) (x40)

i. Hatching embryo
(14 hours 40) (x100)

k. Newly hatched Alevin (14h50) (x40)
Figure 3.2. The development stages of fish embryo

16


The time of T. Jarbua's embryo development ranged about
14 to 16 hours, with an average of 14 hours and 50 minutes in water
temperature of 28.0OC to 29.5 OC and pH from 8.3 to 8.4. Newly
hatched fish were nourished by yolk and after about 3 - 4 days, the
fish would use all yolk and started feeding with external food.
3.2.2. Techniques to grow the Alevins to fingerlings
3.2.2.1. Factors of invironment
The temperature in duration of growing varied in the range
of 26 - 31OC, in which the average temperature ranged from 26.5 ±
2.8, the temperature during the experiment was favorable for growth
and development.
During the experiment, dissolved oxygen content (DO) ranged from
4.5 - 5.6 mg /l, averaging at 5.2-5.4 mg /l. It could be seen that DO
in hatching ponds was suitable for the development of the

oculata +
food
Nauplius of Industrial food
artemia
0
100
100
100
100
05
90.00a ± 5.00 85.00a ± 5.00 70.83b ± 1.44
0
10
36.67a ± 2.89 23.33b ± 2.89 15.00b ± 5.00
0
15
4.48a ± 0.11
3.23b ± 0.28
1.03c ± 0.26
0
Signs a, b, c in the above same line indicated the statistically
significant difference p
of variance analysis. The survival rate of T. jarbua in different NTs
had the statistically significant difference (p
days in Experiments with salinity of 25‰ was the best and gave the
statistically significant difference (p0.05) between Experiments number 1 and
Experiments number 2 and between Experiments number 1 and
Experiments number 3.

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3.2.3.3. The Terapon jarbua’s growth with different kinds of food
ration
Table 3.4. influence of food ration to the fish growth
Experiments with food
Day old
NT3
NT1 (N 5/8) NT2 (Ocialis)
(Grobest)
15
9,5
9,5
9,5
20
10,71 ±0,25
11,33 ±0,13 11,29 ±0,13
25
12,97 ±0,42
12,98 ±0,66 12,04 ±0,13
30
14,45 ±0,62

20


Table 3.5. Influence of types of food on the survival rate of fish
from 15-to 40-day old
Experiments
Average
Min
Max
Experiments #1
81.48a ± 6.79
75.56
88.89
- NRD 5/8
Experiments #2
74.07a ± 7.80
66.67
82.22
– Ocialis
Experiments #3
66.67a ± 4.44
62.22
71.11
– Grobest
Note: the values (numbers) (a.b.c.…)in the same line (with
signs a.b. indicated the statistically significant difference (P < 0.05).
Survival rate of T. jarbua from 15 to 40 days old reared in
ponds with salinity of 20 ‰. 25 ‰ and 30 ‰ showed the highest
survival rate when cultured in an environment with salinity of 30 ‰
(74.51%). The following was by salinity of 25‰ (70.98%). and the

efficiency of rearing process of T. jarbua. in this stage. NRD 5/8
should be used and rearing in salinity of 25‰ was suitable.

21


3.3. BEGINNING TO BUILD UP THE PROCESS OF BREEDING
THE T. JARBUA
Selecting, domesticating parent T. Jarbua
(Healthy fish, male & female ratio: 1:1, weight 100-200 g/male and 200-400
g/female, domesticated salinity and food)

Maintenance of rearing process
(In cages or ponds with bringing 2-3kg/m3, food including trash fish and squid,
from September to January of the next year

Advanced rearing
(In cages or ponds with bringing density 2-3kg/m3, trash fish and squid, from
January to May of the year)

Collecting sex matures fish for reproduction

Stimulating parents for reproduction
(Using 70 μg LRH-A3 + 3 mg DOM/kg female, males are injected a half of female
dosage, just one injection, after 36-40 hours, fish will lay with the rate 95-100%
natural insemination, and the rate of insemination achieves 90-95%

Collecting, separating and hatching fish eggs

Rearing the alevin to fingerling (1-15- day old T. jarbua are reared in

In large size fish groups. the food spectrum was more diverse than
that of in small size fish groups.
The intensity of catching prey depended on the age groups or fish
sizes. the gonad development and the temperature of the rainy season
or the dry season in the year. Catching prey is actively in the dry
season. In March and May catching prey is in the most positive
intensity. Fish in the age 0+ to 2+ group have intensity of catching
prey increasing along with age group and are more positive than
those in the age 3+ and 4+ groups . The group with low stage of
sexual maturity usually catches prey more actively than those with
high stage of sexual maturity.
1.3. About the biology reproduction: in the coastal are of Thua Thien
Hue province. T. Jarbua’ gonad development is through 6 stages.
Fish in 1+ old begin the sex materity. After each reproduction. the
fish gonads begin to develop again from stage III of sexual maturity
process in the next cycle.
The average absolute fertility of T jarbua reaches 342.056 eggs.
Average relative fertility reached 982 eggs / g body weight. The ratio
of male / female in each year is approximately 1 / 1.11 - 1 / 1/17.
1.4. Growing the parent fish's maturity : T. jarbua can be normal
sexual maturation in seawater ponds or in lagoon environments with
23