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Abstract

This study aims to investigate the reproductive cycle of striped piggy (Pomadasys stridens) along the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf (Bushehr Province, Iran) from October 2014 to September 2015. A total of 276 specimens were collected on a monthly basis and their length, weight, sex, gonad weight, and maturity status were recorded. The mean monthly values of GSI indicated that the main spawning period occurs during December to June. Based on ovarian histology and macroscopic analysis of gonads five stage of maturity development were identified. The result of present study demonstrated that, similar to several other tropical species with a distinct annual reproductive cycle, P. stridens characterized by prolong spawning season and females are the predominant sex in the population. The percentage frequency of different developmental oocyte stages within oocyte cluster verifies that the P. stridens is a batch spawner with asynchronous oocyte development.