International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research

Authors
Pradeep HD

Abstract
In the present study, 597 specimens (258 nos. females and 339 nos. males) of Lutjanus vitta of length range 145-335 mm total length (TL) collected from the trawl catches of the vessel M.F.V. Samudrika from January 2007 to December 2008 were utilized. Five maturity stages were determined according to the maturity of the ovary. The major spawning season was during January to March with peak spawning activity during February. The female L. vitta reached the first sexual maturity at 160 mm and the sex ratio was 1:1.3 (F:M). The highest value of gonadosomatic index (GSI) was recorded during February and March then decreases slightly in the following months. This slight decrease comes in concomitance with the long spawning season and batch spawning character. The batch fecundity of specimens ranging 160 to 301mm TL varied from 3,717 to 56,090 nos. of ova. The fecundity indices varied from 61.344 to 177.11 nos., number of ova per gram of ovary weight varied from 826.07 to 4217.32 nos. and number of ova per mm of fish length varied from 23.23 to 198.20nos. Monthly distribution of the maturity stages, GSI, egg diameter revealed that this species has a long spawning season extending nearly a year round.