Philips, A., Ragheb, E. (2013). Reproductive biology of European hake Merlucciusmerluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 17(4), 37-47. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2013.2184
Amal Philips; Evelyn Ragheb. "Reproductive biology of European hake Merlucciusmerluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters". Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 17, 4, 2013, 37-47. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2013.2184
Philips, A., Ragheb, E. (2013). 'Reproductive biology of European hake Merlucciusmerluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters', Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 17(4), pp. 37-47. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2013.2184
Philips, A., Ragheb, E. Reproductive biology of European hake Merlucciusmerluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 2013; 17(4): 37-47. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2013.2184
Reproductive biology of European hake Merlucciusmerluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters
National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt.
Abstract
The reproductive biology of the European hake (Merlucciusmerluccius,Linnaeus, 1758) was studied in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters from December 2009 to November 2011. The sex ratio revealed that males dominated the catch in groups from 13.0 to 32.0 cm, while females dominated for larger groups (33.0- 47.0 cm). Generally, males dominated the catch in all seasons. Length at first sexual maturity was found to be 21.8 cm and 24.0 cm for males and females respectively. For both sexes gonadosomatic index reached maximum values during February and March, and the spawning season extended from April to June. Hepatosomatic index showed higher values during April and May. Ova diameter ranged from 0.28 mm to 0.84 mm. The average fecundity ranged from 40706 to 420950 eggs for the size range 25.0-53.0 cm. Absolute fecundity increased proportionally with fish length and weight.
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