The reproductive cycle, gonads maturation, gonado-somatic indices (GSI), fecundity and spawning rhythm of grouper, Epinephelus tauvina, from the Arabian Gulf waters off Qatar were investigated. Spawning was restricted to a short period extending from late May to early June with a peak in the second quarter of the lunar month. Spawning was completed at about the full moon. No changes in gonad conditions were noted from June through February. Fish Teach their first sexual maturity at about 53 cm total length and all fish greater than 70 cm were all mature. Non-linear relationships were found between absolute fecundity and fish length and weight.
展开▼