Abstract

The arrival of Pterois volitans tropical waters of the western Atlantic has reported an increase in their populations and a decrease in the diversity of environments colonized with high efficiency of adaptations, which generates a large pressure on native species of these areas. This apparent success may be explained by reproduction, this being the overall objective of this studio. We assessed reproductive condition (degree of gonadal development, maturation stages) of P. volitans in the Colombian Caribbean, by histological analysis and counting of the gonads of males and females, providing information in their gonadal development, fecundity, length of maturity and sex ratio, to establish management measures to control the rate birth. We documented the gonadal development of P. volitans in male and female specimens to determine their breeding season and the minimum size at maturity. Initially, we estimated the fertility and sexual maturity stages macroscopically and microscopically by determining the index gonadal (GI) of the specimens; the size of sexual maturity was obtained by relating total length and weight of individuals. The evaluation of the sex ratio was performed for climatic periods, and we determined the relationship between the temporal variation of the catches and the variability of organisms caught. Differ-ences in sex ratio during the months of capture and sexual maturity indicated the main months in which the biggest catch should be made.

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