Reproductive biology of three reef fish species from Kei Islands, Southeast Maluku, Indonesia

Abstract

Golden-lined spinefoot (Siganus lineatus), pink ear emperor (Lethrinus lentjan) and redbelly yellowtail fusilier (Caesio cuning) are three dominant species of reef fish were caught in Kei Islands, Southeast Maluku. The increasing number of fishermen catching reef fish in these waters, will threaten the resources if no management measures based on the biological aspects. The objective of this study was to analyze the sex ratio, length at first maturity, and spawning season period of these species based on the reproduction biology aspects. Sampling was carried out in 13 fish landing locations in the Kei Islands, Southeast Maluku from January to December 2016. A total of 744 fish samples were measured for the standard length, body weight, gonad maturity stage, and gonad weight. Sex ratio (male: female) of S. lineatus, L. lentjan and C. cuning are 1:1.08, 1:4.02 and 1:1.81, respectively in favour of females. Length at first maturity of these species were 32.3 cm, 25.1 cm and 22.3 cm for males, respectively and 21.9 cm, 25.3 cm and 21.6 cm for females, respectively. Spawning season prediction was analyzed by the distribution of monthly gonad maturity stage. The peak of spawning season for these fish species are predicted to occur from January to April and September to December.