Maternal age, length, and weight influence larval characteristics and viability in the viviparous temperate reef fish Helicolenus percoides

Highlights

• In some fish species, older, larger females can produce faster-growing and more viable larvae than younger, smaller females
• This effect was investigated in sea perch Helicolenus percoides
• Information was collected on fecundity and oil globule volume (OGV)
• Absolute fecundity increased proportionally with maternal age and total length
• Older, larger females produced cohorts of larvae with larger OGVs
• OGV, which was affected by maternal age and size, is an important factor influencing larval growth and viability when external energy sources were available
• This research provides insight into the reproductive biology of sea perch and highlights the importance of an old-growth age structure for effective larval viability and growth.

Key words

Maternal effects · Oil globule · Larval survival · Larval growth · Viviparity · Fecundity