Abstract

The southern kingcroaker, Menticirrhus americanus (Pisces, Sciaenidae) is a common species in the fisheries of the Gulf of Paria and in the Caribbean Sea in front of the eastern coasts of Venezuela, although it is observed in low frequency in the landings. Monthly samples were taken from commercial landings of bottom long lines in the Northern Gulf of Paria, between March 2006 and February 2007. In the sample of 666 individuals, the sex ratio did not differ significantly from 1 H: 1M. Average size (±SD) of females was 278±25 mm TL (180 - 335 mm) and that of males 284±30 mm (189 - 335 mm), with two modes: one at 200 mm LT and another at 290 mm for females and 300 mm for males. Recruitment to the fishing ground seems to take place in two moments, February-March and September-November. Reproductive individuals were found all year around, although between June and August more than 80% of individuals showed gonads in advance stage of maturation. Minimum maturity size for females was 180 mm TL and the size at maturation of 50% was in the interval 280-289 mm TL. The weight – total length relationship was 1,07*10-4 TL^2,679 for males and 6,89 *10-5 TL^ 2,600 for females. Although is an appreciated fish species for its meat, it is progressively less frequent in the landings.

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