Reproductive characteristics of the hermaphroditic yellowfin seabream Acanthopagrus latus in the waters off western Taiwan

The reproductive characteristics of a commercially important sparid fish used in aquaculture systems, the yellowfin seabream Acanthopagrus latus, were described based on 938 specimens caught by various fisheries in the waters off western Taiwan from January 2016 to September 2017. Based on macroscopic appearances, gonadosomatic indices and histological examinations of the gonad tissues, the spawning season of this species was identified to be from September to December. This species is an asynchronous spawner, with an estimated mean fecundity of 2,444,787 ± 1,205,991. The sex ratio was significantly different from 0.5, and females predominated in most size classes and months. The sizes at 50% maturity were estimated to be 29.7 and 21.0 cm FL for females and males respectively. Although A. latus is believed to be a protandrous hermaphrodite in many geographical locations, the possibility of being a rudimentary hermaphrodite could not be excluded in this study. The positive correlations found between the fecundity and length, weight and age of the individuals and implications of these results with respect to their inshore migration pattern and the stock enhancement success were addressed.