Journal of Environmental Biology

Reproductive biology of gray-eel catfish, Plotosus canius, in the coastal waters of Port Dickson, Peninsular Malaysia

B.I. Usman^1,2, S.M.N. Amin^1,3*, A. Arshad¹ and M.K. Abu Hena⁴ ? 

¹Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

²Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano-Nigeria

³FAO World Fisheries University, Pukyong National University, Nam-gu, Busan 48547, South Korea

⁴Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

*Corresponding Author Email : smnabd@gmail.com

Paper received: 23.12.2019 ?????? ???????????????????????????????????????Revised received: 21.01.2020 ???????????? ?????????????????????????????????Accepted: 14.08.2020

Abstract

Aim: The present work aimed at examining the reproductive biology of gray-eel catfish, Plotosus canius, from the coastal waters of Port Dickson, Peninsular Malaysia.

Methodology: Samples were collected on a monthly basis from fishermen during the full moon between January and December, 2012.

Results: The overall annual sex ratio was 1: 0.98 (males: females). The annual GSI variation indicated a long distinct breeding period from April to September; with major breeding activity between May and June. The length range of males at sexual maturity was 44 - 48 cm (mid length, 46cm) total length and that of the females was 40 - 44 cm (mid length, 42 cm) total length. Fecundity of P. canius ranged from 643 to 1140 (mean 943 ? 38.40) eggs, and had a positive and significant relationship with body length, body weight and ovary weight. Females attained sexual maturity earlier than the males.

Interpretation: Knowledge on the reproductive biology of P. canius is useful for their conservation, successful culture and breeding programs.

Key words: Peninsular Malaysia, Plotosus canius, Port Dickson, Reproductive biology, Spawning season?

Copyright ? 2020 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).