Volume 54
Reproductive Biology of the Bonefish, Albula vulpes, at Los Roques Archipielago National Park, Venezuela
Authors
Debrot, D.; Posada, J.M. Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: November, 2001
Pages: 506-512
Event: Proceedings of the Fifty Fourth Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands
Country: Turks and Caicos Islands
Abstract
The bonefish, Albula vulpes, is a common species in Los Roques Archipelago National Park and is considered an important recreational fish in this area. The purpose of this study is to describe the reproductive characteristic of A. vulpes (Le., spawning season, length at sexual maturity) in Los Roques. A total of 440 specimens were collected from October 1999 to September 2000. Fish sizes ranged from 286 to 717 mm fork length (FL) and females were significantly larger than males (Mano Whitney U-test, P < 0.001). The smallest sexually mature female and male were 351 and 424 DlDl FL, respectively. The length at 50% sexual maturity was calculated in 456 DlDl FL for females and 467 mm FL for males. Spawning season extended from June to January and peaked from November to December.