Maturation, reproduction and early life history of anglerfish Lophius piscatorius in Faroese waters

Abstract

<p>Maturation, reproduction and early life history of <em>Lophius piscatorius </em>was investigated in Faroese waters. Length at first maturity (L50) was 58 cm for males and 84 cm for females, corresponding to an age of about four years for males and seven years for females. The proportions of females and males were similar in fish less than 55 cm long, and were skewed towards more males in medium sized fish (55–75 cm). Females were predominant in the larger fish (> 85 cm). Observations of spawning males and females, egg ribbons and pelagic anglerfish larvae, suggest that the main spawning season is from February to April and the spawning area seems to be southwest of the Faroe Plateau and in the Faroe Bank area. The Faroe Plateau probably serves as a nursery ground for juvenile anglerfish. Morphological transformation from larvae to juveniles occurred when the fish were about 7–9 cm long and they settled to the bottom when they were about 11 cm long. Thus, all life stages, as well as nursery areas, spawning areas and feeding areas of anglerfish are found in Faroese waters, indicating a separate stock in the area.</p>

Horizontal and Vertical Migration of Anglerfish Lophius piscatorius in Relation to Hydrography in Faroese Waters

“…The central shelf is suggested to function as a retention area that keeps fish eggs/larvae and other planktonic organisms on the shelf (Gaard and Steingrund, 2001). The shallow water around the Faroe Plateau probably serves as a nursery ground for juvenile anglerfish in Faroese waters (Ofstad et al, 2013).…”

“…It has been speculated that spawning may take place in deep water (>300 m), e.g., west of the British Isles (Tåning, 1943;Hislop et al, 2001). Also, there are indications of anglerfish spawning areas in Norwegian fjords (Bjelland and Asplin, 2007), in Icelandic waters (Solmundsson et al, 2010) and in Faroese waters (Tåning, 1943;Ofstad and Laurenson, 2007;Ofstad et al, 2013). The spawning areas in Faroese waters seem to be located southwest of the Faroe Plateau ("Skeivibanki" area) and in the Faroe Bank area (Ofstad et al, 2013).…”

“…Also, there are indications of anglerfish spawning areas in Norwegian fjords (Bjelland and Asplin, 2007), in Icelandic waters (Solmundsson et al, 2010) and in Faroese waters (Tåning, 1943;Ofstad and Laurenson, 2007;Ofstad et al, 2013). The spawning areas in Faroese waters seem to be located southwest of the Faroe Plateau ("Skeivibanki" area) and in the Faroe Bank area (Ofstad et al, 2013). Observations of spawning males and females, egg ribbons and pelagic anglerfish larvae suggest that the main spawning season is from February to April (Ofstad et al, 2013).…”

“…The spawning areas in Faroese waters seem to be located southwest of the Faroe Plateau ("Skeivibanki" area) and in the Faroe Bank area (Ofstad et al, 2013). Observations of spawning males and females, egg ribbons and pelagic anglerfish larvae suggest that the main spawning season is from February to April (Ofstad et al, 2013). Long distance migration of L. piscatorius has been reported from markrecapture experiments, with movements between Shetlandic-, Norwegian-, Icelandic-and Faroese waters (Laurenson et al, 2005;Thangstad et al, 2006).…”

Goosefish Lophius americanus fecundity and spawning frequency, with implications for population reproductive potential

“…Data-poor assessment and management challenges are common with all congeners, which occur in Atlantic, Indian and north-west Pacific Oceans, where the Lophius spp. are variously known as anglerfish, monkfish or frogfish (Fariña et al, 2008;Ofstad et al, 2013).…”