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Reproductive biology of the greyfin croaker Pennahia anea in the northern South China Sea

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Abstract

The greyfin croaker Pennahia anea is one of the most common croakers currently on retail sale in Hong Kong, but there are no regional studies on its biology or fishery. The reproductive biology of the species, based on 464 individuals obtained from local wet markets, was studied over 16 months (January 2008–April 2009) using gonadosomatic index (GSI) and gonad histology. Sizes used in this study ranged from 8.0 to 19.0 cm in standard length (SL). Both the larger and smaller size classes were missing from samples, implying that they are infrequently caught in the fishery. Based on GSI data, the approximate minimum sizes for male and female maturation were 12 cm SL. The size at 50% maturity for females was 14.3 cm SL, while all males in the samples were mature. Both GSI and gonad histology suggest that spawning activity occurred from March–April to June, with a peak in May. Since large croakers are declining in the local and regional fisheries, small species such as P. anea are becoming important, although they are mostly taken as bycatch. In view of unmanaged fishing pressure, and given the decline in large croakers and sizes of P. anea presently caught, proper management of the species is suggested.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Rachel Wong for her technical support with gonad histology. This work was funded by the Research Grants Council, The University of Hong Kong in support of C.D. Tuuli’s Master of Philosophy study. The performance of this study complied with the current laws of Hong Kong.

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Author notes

  1. Min Liu

    Present address: State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Oceanography and Environmental Science, Xiamen University, 182 Daxue Road, Xiamen, 361005, Fujian, China

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Swire Institute of Marine Science and The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Cynthia Darta Tuuli, Yvonne Sadovy de Mitcheson & Min Liu

Authors
  1. Cynthia Darta Tuuli
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  2. Yvonne Sadovy de Mitcheson
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  3. Min Liu
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Correspondence to Yvonne Sadovy de Mitcheson.

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Tuuli, C.D., Sadovy de Mitcheson, Y. & Liu, M. Reproductive biology of the greyfin croaker Pennahia anea in the northern South China Sea. Ichthyol Res 58, 302–309 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-011-0228-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-011-0228-0

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