Reproduction of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) and other members of the family Carangidae

The family Carangidae contains several species of aquaculture interest, including the amberjacks, yellowtails and trevallies. Among them, the greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), the Japanese amberjack or yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) and the yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) are considered the species with the highest potential for commercial aquaculture. Understanding the reproductive physiology–biology, spawning kinetics and production characteristics in captivity are of utmost importance for the domestication of any animal, and developing broodstock management methods and therapies to optimize egg production and overcome potential reproductive dysfunctions are essential. The present article reviews the available literature on the reproductive biology of the Carangidae species of interest for the aquaculture industry, both in the wild and under farming conditions. The reproductive traits of wild and farmed fish, whenever available, were compared in order to improve the understanding of the reproductive dysfunctions occurring in captivity. Finally, the hormonal maturation and spawning induction protocols examined so far to ameliorate the reproductive dysfunctions and obtain fertile gametes are summarized, and their effectiveness in the different rearing conditions is discussed.