Reproductive Biology of Kingsoldier Bream (Argyrops spinifer) in the Persian Gulf

The reproductive characteristics of 639 specimens of kingsoldier bream, Argyrops spinifer, a commercial species of Sparidae family in the Persian Gulf were investigated by monthly sampling during June 2010 to May 2011. Samples were caught by local fisherman using trawl net in waters of Bushehr province. Each month, a total of 50-60 specimens of fish were examined, on average. Total length ranged from 15-61 (24±6.6) cm in males and 13-64 (24.0±7.9) cm in females and total weight ranged 77-3450 (323.6±319) g and 52-4162 (370±465) g in males and females, respectively. Total length (Lm50) and age (Am50) at first maturity were estimated as 30 cm and 5 years for males and 31 cm and 6 years for females, this indicate that A. spinifer is exploited below the mean size at sexual maturity. The overall sex ratio was 1.25F:1M and were significantly different from the expected ratio (p