Revista de Biología Tropical, ISSN: 2215-2075, Vol. 72: e56582, enero-diciembre 2024 (Publicado Abr. 16, 2024)

Sustainability of dual exploitation (fry and adults) of the fish

Semaprochilodus laticeps (Characiformes: Prochilodontidae) in Colombia

Joan Steven Bocanegra-Mora1; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8821-0605

Rosa Elena Ajiaco-Martínez1*; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6407-7806

Hernando Ramírez-Gil1; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0166-3047

Carlos Guillermo Barreto2; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4158-8800

1 Grupo de Investigación Evaluación, Manejo y Conservación de Recursos Hidrobiológicos y Pesqueros, Universidad de

los Llanos, Campus Barcelona, Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia; joan.bocanegra@unillanos.edu.co, reajiaco@gmail.com

(*Correspondence), hernando.ramirez@unillanos.edu.co

2 Autoridad Nacional de Acuicultura y Pesca, Bogotá, D. C., Colombia; cbarretoreyes@gmail.com

Received 12-IX-2023. Corrected 03-III-2024. Accepted 08-IV-2024.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Semaprochilodus laticeps is a freshwater fish species native to the Orinoco Basin that is exploited in

Colombia at two different stages of its life cycle: fry (for the ornamental trade) and adults (for the consumer mar-

ket). This double exploitation of juveniles and adults raises concerns about the population stability of the species.

Objective: To evaluate the sustainability of the exploitation of the species in these two life stages.

Methods: 1 277 specimens of S. laticeps were sampled between June and December 2017. Population parameters

were estimated from length-frequency data using ELEFAN 1 routine of the FISAT II package. Length at first

maturity (Lm) and length at maximum yield (Lopt) were determined using the Froese and Binohlan equations.

Virtual population analysis was performed based on Jones length cohort analysis.

Results: Population parameters were as follows: K = 0.75, L∞ = 53.1 cm LE, Z = 2.92 yr-1, M = 1.24 yr-1 and

F = 1.68. Lm was estimated to be 29.6 cm SL and Lopt at 33.4 cm SL. Of note, 96.3 % of the fish caught in the

consumer fishery exceeded Lm and 80 % exceeded Lopt. The results of the virtual population analysis suggested

that a very low proportion (0.85 %) of the population was caught as fry, possibly due to natural mortality.

Conclusions: Based on the results, as no indicators of overexploitation were identified, it is recommended to

continue with the dual use of S. laticeps. It is recommended to maintain the existing conservation measures,

such as the closed season during the reproductive period, to ensure sustainable fishery exploitation. The results

obtained can serve as a reference to analyze the situation of other species currently fished for both the ornamental

(fry) and food (adult) markets.

Key words: fisheries management; food fish; freshwater fish; ornamental fish trade; sustainable fishing

exploitation.

RESUMEN

Sustainability of dual exploitation (fry and adults) of the fish Semaprochilodus laticeps

(Characiformes: Prochilodontidae) in Colombia

Introducción: Semaprochilodus laticeps es una especie de pez de agua dulce originaria de la cuenca del Orinoco,

explotada en Colombia en dos etapas distintas de su ciclo de vida: alevín (para el comercio ornamental) y adulto

(para el mercado de consumo). Esta doble explotación de alevines y adultos genera preocupación sobre la esta-

bilidad poblacional de la especie.

https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v72i1.56582

CONSERVATION

2Revista de Biología Tropical, ISSN: 2215-2075 Vol. 72: e56582, enero-diciembre 2024 (Publicado Abr. 16, 2024)

INTRODUCTION

The sapuara, or sapoara (Semaprochilodus

laticeps), is a member of the Prochilodontidae

family and inhabits both lentic and lotic bodies

in the Orinoco basin. Adult specimens of this

species are caught for sustenance by riparian

communities (Ajiaco-Martínez et al., 2012; De

La Hoz-M et al., 2015; Novoa, 2002; Novoa &

Ramos, 1982; Ramirez-Gil & Ajiaco-Martínez,

2001). Additionally, for over two decades, their

fry have been collected and traded as ornamen-

tal fish (Ajiaco-Martínez et al., 2012; Duarte et

al., 2016; Ortega-Lara et al., 2015).

As of now, data on catches, whether for

food or ornamental fish, is fragmented. Cap-

tures for food use have been reported in ports

of the Colombian Orinoco River Basin, with

annual landings ranging from 7.8 to 34.2 tons

between 2006 and 2017 (Autoridad Nacional

de Acuicultura y pesca-AUNAP, 2017; Pineda-

Arguello et al., 2011). As an ornamental fish,

the annual commercialization in Puerto Car-

reño has varied from 22 015 specimens dur-

ing the period 1998-1999 to 395 593 in 2017

(Ramírez-Gil et al., 2001; this study). Puerto

Carreño is the port with the highest volumes

of traded species for both consumption and

ornamental purposes.

Colombian regulations have prohibit the

capture of specimens smaller than the mini-

mum size, which has been set at 35 cm standard

length (SL) for sapuara since 1981 (Instituto

Nacional de los Recursos Naturales Renovables

y del Ambiente, 1981). Resolution 0190 of 1995

(Instituto Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura,

1995) permits the use of S. laticeps as an orna-

mental species, including fry that do not comply

with the minimum legal size. Also, the AUNAP

in 2015 listed S. laticeps as an ornamental spe-

cies in Colombia in Resolution 1924 (Autori-

dad Nacional de Acuicultura y Pesca-AUNAP,

2015). This allowance is motived by the eco-

nomic benefits it offers to local communities

in Vichada, a department with a multidimen-

sional poverty index of 75.6 % (Departamento

Administrativo Nacional de Estadística-DANE,

2021), the highest in Colombia. However, the

decision-makers lack definitive arguments to

assess whether the extracting fry (ornamental

fishing) and adults (consumer fishing) is sus-

tainable for the species population.

Despite being identified as one of the 20

dual-purpose species by Ajiaco-Martínez et al.

2012, there is limited and sporadic information

available. There is a lack of tools available to

assess the impact of exploitation on different

life stages (fry and adult) as well as to evaluate

Objetivo: Evaluar la sostenibilidad de la explotación de la especie en estas dos etapas de vida.

Método: Entre junio y diciembre de 2017 se muestrearon 1 277 ejemplares de S. laticeps. Los parámetros pobla-

cionales se estimaron utilizando datos de frecuencia de tallas con la rutina ELEFAN 1 del paquete FISAT II. La

longitud de primera madurez (Lm) y la de máximo rendimiento (Lopt) se determinaron mediante ecuaciones de

Froese y Binohlan. El análisis de la población virtual se realizó basándose en el análisis de cohorte de longitud

de Jones.

Resultados: Los parámetros poblacionales fueron los siguientes: K = 0.75, L∞ = 53.1 cm LE, Z = 2.92 año-1,

M = 1.24 año-1 y F = 1.68. Lm se estimó en 29.6 cm SL y Lopt en 33.4 cm SL. En particular, el 96.3 % del pescado

capturado en la pesquería de consumo superó Lm y el 80 % superó Lopt. El análisis de la población virtual sugirió

que una fracción muy baja (0.85 %) de la población fue capturada como alevines, posiblemente atribuible a la

mortalidad natural.

Conclusiones: Con base en los hallazgos, al no identificarse indicadores de sobreexplotación, se recomienda

continuar con el doble uso de S. laticeps. Se recomienda mantener las medidas de protección existentes, así como

una veda durante el período reproductivo, para garantizar una explotación pesquera sostenible. Los resultados

obtenidos pueden servir como referencia para analizar la situación de otras especies actualmente capturadas para

el mercado tanto ornamental como de consumo.

Palabras clave: gestión pesquera; peces de consumo; peces de agua dulce; comercio de peces ornamentales;

explotación pesquera sostenible.

Revista de Biología Tropical, ISSN: 2215-2075, Vol. 72: e56582, enero-diciembre 2024 (Publicado Abr. 16, 2024)

the adequacy of current management measures

for species protection are also lacking.

This study aims to evaluate both types of

fisheries for S. laticeps to quantify the impact of

fishing activity, improve understanding of the

species, and equip regulatory institutions with

decision-making tools for sustainable man-

agement. The central inquiry is whether the

exploitation of sapuara for both ornamental

fish (fry) and food fish (adult) markets is sus-

tainable This study utilizes data from the Puer-

to Carreño fisheries as a reference point, with

the aim to producing replicable results that can

be applied to the study of S. laticeps in various

regions within the Orinoco Basin. The main

goal is to enhance the preservation efforts for

the species and also promote socio-economic

stability in the communities of the area.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study area: Puerto Carreño is located at

6°11’20” N & 67°29’9” W, at an elevation of 51

m.a.s.l. It is bordered by the Meta, Bita, and

Orinoco rivers. Fishing operations for orna-

mental fish are carried out in the flood zone of

the Meta River, and for consumption fishing in

the three rivers. The region experiences four

distinct hydrological phases: low waters prevail

from January to March, the waters rise from

April to June, high waters occur from July to

August, and falling waters from September to

December. Sampling occurred during three

of these periods. The species is available for

ornamental fishing only during rising and high

waters, and for consumption fishing during ris-

ing waters at high.

Data collection: Between June and Octo-

ber 2017, digital calipers with a precision of 0.1

mm were used to measure the standard length

(SL) of S. laticeps specimens, while digital

scales with a precision of 0.1 g were used for

weight measurements.

The specimens were obtained through

artisanal fishing. Ornamental specimens were

measured at fish collection facilities visited

daily, with random selection and measurement

of the maximum number possible each day.

Individuals destined for consumption were

measured daily at fish purchasing sites, with

data compiled on all landed specimens of the

species landed at each location.

Statistical analyses: The gathered data

were organized in an Excel spreadsheet. The

length-weight relationship was determined

using the methodology of Sparre and Venema

(1997), following the function: W = aLb, where

W is weight, L is standard length, and “a” and

“b” are the equation parameters. The confi-

dence limits of “b” were calculated according

to Pauly (1984). The individual growth rate was

derived from Von Bertalanffy’s general growth,

Equation 1:

L = L_∞ [1-(e-k(t-t0))] (1)

Where L is the length, L¥ is the maximum

length, K is the curvature parameter, t is the

age in years and t0 is the moment in which the

specimen was a size 0.

The FISAT II routine was employed, apply-

ing the Power-Wetherall graph to estimate L∞

and Z/K parameters. The identification of the

smallest length or cut length for recruitment

was determined using the Pseudocapture curve.

The preliminary estimation of the meta-

bolic rate of growth was conducted following

the model of Gulland and Holt (Sparre & Ven-

ema, 1997) using the ELEFAN 1 routine.

The growth performance index (ϕ) was

estimated according to Pauly and Munro

(1984), Equation 2:

∅’= Log (K) +2 Log (L∞) (2)

The t0 was estimated using the empirical

relationship of Pauly (1983), Equation 3:

Log (-t0) = -0.3922 -0.2752 Log L∞ -1.038 Log K (3)

The instantaneous mortality rate (Z) was

estimated using Equation 4, the linearized

catch curve converted to lengths (Sparre &

Venema, 1997):

4Revista de Biología Tropical, ISSN: 2215-2075 Vol. 72: e56582, enero-diciembre 2024 (Publicado Abr. 16, 2024)

(4)

Where C (L1, L2) is the catch in the number

of specimens in a given size interval, Δt is the

time it takes for the fish to grow from L1 to

L2, calculated from the growth parameters and

lengths, C is the intercept, and Z is the slope Δt.

The determination of natural mortality

(M) was made according to Equation 5, the

empirical equation of Pauly (Cadima, 2003;

Pauly, 1984; Sparre & Venema, 1997):

M = 0.8*e -0.0152-0.279Ln L_∞+0.6543Ln K+0.463Ln T (5)

In this equation, L∞, K, and T represent the

parameters estimated by the growth equation

and the average temperature of the ecosystem

in the estimation period (27 °C). It was adjusted

to 80 % following the recommendation of Pauly

(1984) for L∞ and K.

Fishing mortality (F) was estimated from

total mortality and natural mortality, following

the Equation 6:

F = Z-M (6)

With total and fishing mortality and the

growth parameters known, a virtual popula-

tion analysis was performed based on the Jones

length cohort analysis. For each size group, the

following were estimated:

The natural mortality factor H, expressed

by Equation 7:

(7)

The number of fish caught was estimated

with Equation 8:

(8)

Where: ∆t =

C is the constant of the

linearized capture curve equation (Sparre &

Venema, 1997) t1 = t0 - 1 ⁄ K * Ln(1 - L1 ⁄ L∞)

The number of surviving fish was calcu-

lated using Equation 9:

N(L1)=[N(L2) * H(L1, L2 ) + C(L1, L2)] * H(L1, L2)

(9)

To estimate the exploitation rate, Equation

10 was used:

(10)

The length at first maturity (Lm) and the

length at maximum yield (Lopt) were estimated

according to the equations of Froese and Binoh-

lan (2003) (Equation 11 and Equation 12):

Log (Lm) = 0.8979 * Log (L∞) - 0.0782 (11)

Log (Lopt) = 1.0421 * Log (L∞) - 0.2742 (12)

Longevity (tmax) was calculated with the

Equation 13 proposed by Froese and Binohlan

(2003).

tmax = 3/K (13)

The age of first maturation Tm was esti-

mated from the Equation 14:

Log (Tmax) = 0.5496 + 0.957 * Log ™ (14)

The relationship between total length

and fecundity proposed by Novoa and Ramos

(1982) was used to estimate the total fecundity

of the Sapuara population, Equation 15.

F = 0.00407Lt 4.884 (15)

RESULTS

A total of 1 277 specimens, with lengths

ranging from 1 to 50 cm, were recorded.

Revista de Biología Tropical, ISSN: 2215-2075, Vol. 72: e56582, enero-diciembre 2024 (Publicado Abr. 16, 2024)

Specimens intended for ornamental purposes

were captured within the 1 to 10 cm size range,

with greater occurrence at 1-4 cm (70 %). Con-

versely, those measuring between 25 and 40 cm

were caught for consumption, and a higher fre-

quency was observed in the 34 to 37 cm (36 %)

and 37 to 40 cm (33 %) ranges (Table 1).

The Equation 16 represents the length -

weight relationship as:

W = 0.029L2.993 (16)

The slope (b) is 2.993 (α > 0.05), indicating

isometric growth (R2 = 0.974).

Monthly modal frequencies analysis of

S. laticeps shows two modal frequencies from

June to September, and only one modal group

recorded in October. The modal frequency

linked to ornamental fishing is only present

in July.

The estimated cut length (L') was 3.91 cm,

with an asymptotic length (L∞) at 53.13 cm

SL. Total mortality (Z) was 2.9195 year-1 with

a confidence level of 2.27 and 3.57. Metabolic

growth rate (K) was 0.75, and relative mortality

(Z/K) was 4.912.

The growth curve of S. laticeps conforms to

the Equation 17:

L = 53.13 (1-e (-0.75 (t-0.18)) (17)

The growth performance index ∅’ was esti-

mated to be 3.33.

The natural mortality (M) rate at an aver-

age temperature of 27 °C is 1.24 year-1, with a

fishing mortality (F) rate of 1.68 year-1, and the

exploitation rate (E) of 0.58.

Table 2 presents the virtual population

data, including the number of catchable indi-

viduals, natural mortality factor, the quan-

tity of surviving fish, and the exploitation rate.

The cohort becomes extinct in the size range

between 49 to 52.

In the virtual population analysis (Table 3),

the catch for ornamental purposes sampled

12.2 % of the potential catch in the size range

1 to 4, and less than 5 % in the other two size

groups relating to the ornamental fishery, in

Table 1

Distribution of the population of Semaprochilodus laticeps sampled, by length intervals in Puerto Carreño, Vichada.

Standard length (cm) Months Total

6 7 8 9 10

1-4 0 630 0 0 0 630*

4-7 0 194 0 0 0 194*

7-10 0 69 0 0 0 69*

10-13 0 1 0 0 0 1*

13-16 0 0 0 0 0 0

16-19 0 0 0 0 0 0

19-22 0 0 0 0 0 0

22-25 0 0 0 0 0 0

25-28 3 1 1 0 5 10**

28-31 0 5 5 0 5 15**

31-34 1 22 27 1 7 58**

34-37 4 44 85 8 2 143**

37-40 9 30 70 13 3 125**

40-43 5 9 8 0 0 22**

43-46 2 1 2 2 0 7**

46-49 1 0 0 0 1 2**

49-52 0 0 0 1 0 1**

TOTAL 25 1 006 198 25 2. 3 1 277

In bold individuals used for ornamental use. *Ornamental fisheries. ** Food fisheries.

6Revista de Biología Tropical, ISSN: 2215-2075 Vol. 72: e56582, enero-diciembre 2024 (Publicado Abr. 16, 2024)

Table 2

Jones cohort analysis for Semaprochilodus laticeps.

L1L2C (L1, L2)t (L1)Dt H (L1, L2)N (L1)F / Z F Z

1 4 5 168 0.03 0.08 1.05 43 489 0.58 1.68 2.92

4 7 4 330 0.10 0.08 1.05 34 509 0.58 1.68 2.92

7 10 3 587 0.19 0.09 1.06 26 985 0.58 1.68 2.92

10 13 2 932 0.28 0.10 1.06 20 753 0.58 1.68 2.92

13 16 2 361 0.37 0.10 1.07 15 659 0.58 1.68 2.92

16 19 1 868 0.48 0.11 1.07 11 557 0.58 1.68 2.92

19 22 1 447 0.59 0.12 1.08 8 312 0.58 1.68 2.92

22 25 1 094 0.71 0.14 1.09 5 798 0.58 1.68 2.92

25 28 803 0.85 0.15 1.10 3 897 0.58 1.68 2.92

28 31 567 1.00 0.17 1.11 2 503 0.58 1.68 2.92

31 34 382 1.17 0.19 1.13 1 518 0.58 1.68 2.92

34 37 242 1.36 0.23 1.15 854 0.58 1.68 2.92

37 40 140 1.59 0.27 1.19 434 0.58 1.68 2.92

40 43 71 1.86 0.35 1.24 191 0.58 1.68 2.92

43 46 29 2.21 0.47 1.34 67 0.57 1.67 2.91

46 49 8 2.68 0.73 1.57 15 0.57 1.62 2.86

49 52 1 3.41 1.73 1.1 0.50 1.24 2.48

C (L1, L2): Capture possible; H (L1, L2): Natural mortality factor; N (L1): Number of surviving fish; F/Z: Exploitation rate.

Table 3

Virtual population of Semaprochilodus laticeps in Puerto Carreño, Vichada.

LiLi + 1

Number of individuals

% OSC / C (L1, L2)% OSC / N (L1)C Ornamental sampled

catch (OSC) Difference N (L1)

(L1, L2)

1 4 5 168 630 4 538 43 489 12.2 1.4

4 7 4 330 194 4 136 34 509 4.5 0.6

7 10 3 587 69 3 518 26 985 1.9 0.3

10 13 2 932   20 753  

13 16 2 361   15 659  

16 19 1 868   11 557  

19 22 1 447   8 312  

22 25 1 094   5 798  

25 28 803   3 897  

28 31 567   2 503  

31 34 382   1 518  

34 37 242   854  

37 40 140   434  

40 43 71   191  

43 46 29   67  

46 49 8   15  

49 52 1   1  

Revista de Biología Tropical, ISSN: 2215-2075, Vol. 72: e56582, enero-diciembre 2024 (Publicado Abr. 16, 2024)

comparison to the potential catch (C (L1, L2)).

When comparing the caught ornamental fish

to the estimated population (N(L1)) within the

size range, it is evident that the observed catch

accounts for only 1.4 % of the estimated popu-

lation for fish ranging from 1 to 4 cm in size.

In the other two size groups, it accounted for

less than 1 %. For this population, the number

of specimens caught for the ornamental mar-

ket comprises only 6.8 % of the total possible

catches and 0.85 % of the estimated population.

The fecundity of the spawning age class-

es in this total virtual population reaches

410 336 413 eggs (Table 4). When comparing

this value with the actual commercialization in

the study year of 395 593 specimens, the latter

represents 0.096 % of the total spawned.

The estimated length at first maturity (Lm)

was 29.6 cm SL with confidence limits ranging

from 22.1 to 39.6 cm SL. Likewise, the estimated

length at maximum yield (Lopt) was 33.4 cm SL

with confidence limits between 24.3 and 46.0

cm SL. It was observed that 96.3 % of moni-

tored specimens caught in the consumer fishery

(Table 1) had sizes greater than Lm, while 80 %

had sizes greater than Lopt. The study estimated

that 52.7 % of specimens measured between

30.1 and 36.7 cm SL ((± 10 % Lopt), while 51 %

were mega-spawners with a size greater than

36.7 cm SL). The longevity value was calculated

to be 4 years, and the age of first maturity was

estimated at 1.13 years.

DISCUSSION

This study introduces the first virtual

population analysis of S. laticeps in the Colom-

bian Orinoco River Basin, focusing specifically

on the Puerto Carreño sector. The results reveal

that the species has potential for both dual

exploitations, its fry stage for ornamental pur-

poses and adult stage for consumption.

The observed characteristics of the S. lati-

ceps population evaluated, align with a species

exhibiting rapid growth, high natural mortality,

and low life expectancy, consistent with the

traits reported by Pérez-Lozano and Barbarino

(2013) for Prochilodus mariae, a species in the

same family, in the Apure River within the

Venezuelan Orinoco River Basin. According to

the categorization scale established by Winemi-

ller and Taphorn (1989), S. laticeps is identified

as an r2 strategist due to its generation dura-

tion exceeding 12 months, a single breeding

season per year, high fertility, and absence of

parental care.

The growth performance index calculated

for S. laticeps (3.3) exceeds the estimates for

Semaprochilodus taeniurus and Semaprochilo-

dus insignis, as derived from the L∞ and K data

of Guerreiro et al. (2018). This difference may

be attributed to the fact that Guerreiro and

colleagues based their estimation on speci-

mens with sizes larger than 14 cm. In contrast,

our study includes fishes with sizes ranging

from 1 cm LS. The inclusion of fry in our

Table 4

Fecundity estimates of the virtual population of Semaprochilodus laticeps in Puerto Carreño, Vichada

Ls Lt Number of individuals Fecundity Media Fecundity

Population Females

31 36 1 518 759 162 396 123 263 380

34 40 854 427 271 679 116 041 130

37 43 434 217 386 771 83 984 214

40 46 191 95 537 655 51 273 138

43 50 67 33 807 912 26 869 780

46 53 15 8 1 073 885 8 138 721

49 57 1 1 1 532 100 766 050

Total Fecundity 410 336 413

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analysis may contribute to an overall higher

estimate of the growth index. The Tmax found

(4 years) falls within the range estimated from

the K values for the afore mentioned species

Froese (2004).

Parameters such as K, Tmax, Tm, and

estimated fecundity position S. laticeps as a

highly and moderately productive, resilient

species according to scale proposed by Musick

(1999). This aligns with van Treeck et al.

(2020) assertion that species with characte-

ristics such a small size, short life expectancy,

rapid growth, early maturation and high mor-

tality rates, like S. laticeps are less susceptible to

anthropogenic disturbances.

Consistent with Froese (2004), the current

exploitation of S. laticeps in the Puerto Carreño

region does not indicate evidence of overfis-

hing, with 96.3 % of specimens reproducing

before capture and 80 % surpassing Lopt. A

healthy age structure is affirmed by the indica-

tor of 41 % mega-spawners, surpassing Froese

(2004) proposed range of 30 to 40 %. This is cri-

tical, as mega-spawners, comprising the largest

and oldest specimens, contribute to higher egg

quantity and quality, producing more resilient

larvae (Fenberg & Roy, 2008; Perry et al., 2010).

Virtual population analysis results indicate

a minimal fraction (0.85 %) of S. laticeps is cap-

tured for the ornamental fish market, posing

negligible impact compared to the estimated

population and total fecundity of the spawning

age class. This supports the conclusion that

ornamental exploitation does not compromise

natural population renewal, but rather takes

advantage of the species during its highest

mortality stage, in line with the assertion of

Caddy (2015) that early life stages experience

the highest natural mortality.

In contrast to conventional size-based

regulatory frameworks in Colombian fishe-

ries, influenced by Ulltang (1975) and Gulland

(1985), which have been criticized for promo-

ting the selective harvesting of larger specimens

and adversely affecting populations (Allendorf

& Hard, 2009; Diekert, 2012; Enberg et al.,

2012; Fenberg & Roy, 2008; Heino et al., 2013;

Venturelli et al., 2012; Zhou et al., 2010) our

comprehensive analysis strongly advocates for

the elimination of minimum size constraints

for S. laticeps. This imperative is driven by the

need to enhance resource utilization efficiency

for fishermen and stakeholders in both con-

sumer and ornamental markets. Nevertheless,

we propose the implementation of protective

measures, including temporal closures during

the reproductive period and the prohibition of

gill nets in locations associated with the paren-

tal population (such as lagoons connected to

rivers), to ensure the sustainable harvesting of

this species.

The results obtained in the Puerto Carreño

sector can serve as a reference to analyze the

situation of the rest of the species currently

captured for the ornamental (fry) and edible

(adult) fish markets.

Ethical statement: the authors declare that

they all agree with this publication and made

significant contributions; that there is no con-

flict of interest of any kind; and that we fol-

lowed all pertinent ethical and legal procedures

and requirements. All financial sources are fully

and clearly stated in the acknowledgments sec-

tion. A signed document has been filed in the

journal archives.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We express our gratitude to the Autoridad

Nacional de Acuicultura y Pesca (AUNAP),

which funded this research through coopera-

tion agreement No. 0155 of 2017 with the Fun-

dación Fauna Caribe Colombiana (FFCC). This

publication is in accordance with the Memo-

randum of Understanding No. 05/17 of August

5, 2022, between AUNAP and Universidad de

los Llanos.

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