Author(s): Said M. Al-Ghais
Article publication date: 1995-08-01
Vol. 13 No. 2 (yearly), pp. 401-419.
123
Keywords
United Arab Emirates, reproduction, fish
Abstract
Age, growth and reproduction of Pomadasys stridens Forskal, 1775 (Pomadasyidae), native to United Arab Emirates reefs, were investigated. The length frequency distribution ranged from 15.0 to 16.0 cm throughout the year. The growth marks on otolith were used to estimate the age. The maximum standard length (SL) of this species was 21.0 cm (338.6g female).The pre-spawning and spawning months (November to March) exhibited the highest and post-spawning (April to July) the lowest values for coefficient of condition K. The average value of K over the standard length range of 12 to 20 cm decreased in proportion to the increase in fish length. The minimum length of fully mature fish was 11.0 cm, with females maturing earlier. Development of gonads occurred in November and December. From April through OCtober all the fish were found to be in the spent stage. The female to male sex ration was 2.5:1.