Abstract
While prior research has examined age, growth, and reproduction of yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens), size at maturity was only preliminarily assessed and is a very important biological metric to fully understand yellow tang biology and population status. We had a unique opportunity to sample from the Oahu, Hawaiʻi, aquarium fishery and across a size range from 55- to 110-mm total length (TL). We found a smaller than expected size at maturity for females (L50 = 63.4-mm TL (CI: 62.7 – 65.5-mm TL)) and males (L50 = 67.4-mm TL (CI: 66.4 – 70.3-mm TL)). Females as small as 65-mm TL had ovaries that contained hydrated oocytes, suggesting that spawning can occur at a size that was previously considered within the juvenile size range. However, very low gonad weights (< 0.26 g) limit any significant egg production from these small, young individuals. These results provide additional insight into the biology of Z. flavescens, but further research is needed to determine if size at maturity varies spatially and under different levels of fishing pressure.
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Data availability
Data and metadata is available at Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. 2020. Life History Program Life History Estimates, https://inport.nmfs.noaa.gov/inport/item/59002.
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Acknowledgements
This research was driven by a fisher’s inquiry and donation of fish and time. We sincerely thank this fisher (Matt Ross). Keith Kamikawa did a preliminary review of ages based on otolith micro-increments and reviewed the manuscript. Staff time was provided by Conservation International Hawaiʻi. We thank Joseph O’Malley for reviewing the manuscript.
Funding
Funding was provided by Conservation International Hawaiʻi and a publication of the Hawai’i Office of Planning, Coastal Zone Management Pro-gram, pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No NA14NOS4190079, funded in part by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, administered by the Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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Fish handling methods were in accordance with principles detailed in Guidelines for the Use of Fishes in Research (American Fisheries Society), and in the U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and because fish were donated, a formal protocol was waived by the regulating agency University of Hawaiʻi Animal Care and Use Committee.
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Significance statement
Size at maturity for yellow tang, Zebrasoma flavescens, has never been assessed anywhere in its native range. Yellow tang are important herbivores on coral reefs and also highly valued in the ornamental (aquarium) fish markets. This study provides the first estimate of size at maturity from the aquarium fishery which is important to sustainable fisheries management and ornamental aquaculture.
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Schemmel, E. Size at maturity for yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) from the Oahu, HI, aquarium fishery. Environ Biol Fish 104, 1139–1147 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-021-01142-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-021-01142-3