Reproductive Biology of Sand Whiting, Sillago sihama (Forsskal) in the Persian Gulf (Coastal Waters of Hormozgan Province)

The present study aimed to investigate the reproductive biology of sand whiting, Sillago sihama (Forsskal) (Family: Sillaginidae). Sampling was conducted monthly from the coastal waters of the Persian Gulf (Hormozgan province), from July 2011 to July 2012. Observations on the seasonal distribution of maturity stages and variations in seasonal fluctuations in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) confirmed two spawning peaks in January and March. It was found that female Sillago sihama reach the first sexual maturity at 14.20 cm. The relationship between total length and total weight for males and females were W=0.010 L2.855 and W=0.007 L2.973, respectively. The mean of the sex ratio was 1:2.5 (M:F). Fluctuations in HSI and GSI of female fish showed similar trends.