Adil S. O. Abu Degoon
(1)
and Sayed M. Ali
(2)
Abstract
A total of 344 Lethrinus mahsenaspecimens were collected from
Port Sudan fish market during October 2003- November 2004 to
study some aspects of reproduction.It has been found that the sky
emperor in particular and other emperors in general dominated
the Sudanese catch especially during the summer season.
Females become sexually matureat a mean total length of
29.6±2.6 cm and at an age of 2+ to 3+ years. This is attained in
males at 33.5±1.7 cm and age of 3+ to 4+ years. From the findings,
females seemed to reach first maturity at a size and age earlier
than males. The absolute fecundity was significantly (p<0.05)
related to total length, age, body weight, gonadal weight but
insignificantly (p>0.05) related to egg diameters.
Breeding seems to occur throughout the year with a main peak
in January. Sequentional protogynous hermaphroditism has been
observed to occur in L. mahsenaat age 4+ to 5+ years.
Histological studies on gonadssuggested the occurrence of
secondary males.
