Aspects of the reproductive biology of the grouper, Epinephelus tauvina (Forskål), in Kuwaiti waters

Gonad maturation in Epinephelus tauvina is examined over one annual reproductive cycle. The species has one major spawning period from April to May and this is associated with increasing water temperatures and relatively low salinity. The histological changes in the gonads in the female, male and transitional phase are examined, and oogenesis and spermatogenesis are described in five developmental stages. That E. tauvina is a protogynous hermaphrodite is confirmed, and sexual transition is found to occur in individuals 55–75 cm in length, and is related to spawning activity. Fecundity estimates for E. tauvina of length 35.1–62.3 cm ranged from 850 186 to 2 904 921.