Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Reproductive biology of some common coral reef fishes of the Indian EEZ

Volume 44 Issue 1&2

P. E. Vijay Anand and N. G. K. Pillai

Abstract

The reproductive biology of some common coral reef fishes from the Lakshadweep (8" to 12⁰N and 71" 45' to 73⁰45'E) and the Gulf of Mannar (8⁰48' to 9⁰14'N and 79⁰9 to 79⁰14'E) in the Indian EEZ during January 1991 to June 1992 is reported. Protogyny was prominent in labrids, while other species either matured synchronously or differentially, with males maturing earlier or later than females. Sex-ratio indicated that females were dominant in most species. Fecundity estimates varied greatly, from 700 to 2, 25, 850 ova per female. Whenever the environment is favourable the coral reef fish spawn on a daily, weekly, fortnightly and monthly basis. Total fecundity per year, therefore, is presumably very high. Most species appeared to be perennial spawners, some showed small breaks, while very few indicated biannual spawning. Continuous occurrence of juveniles in different size ranges confirmed the continuous spawning habits. Spawning activity was minimum during monsoon seasons, evidently an adaptation to tide over adverse environmental conditions prevailing at that time lest the eggs and larvae are transported far and wide. This was corroborated by peak settlement during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons.

Date : 30-12-2002