Reproductive biology of the four dominant species of catfish from the Persian Gulf

Abstract

Abstract Catfish are an important component of demersal fisheries in the Persian Gulf. This study describes reproductive aspects in the four common species of catfish, namely Netuma thalassina (Rüppell, 1837), Netuma bilineata (Valenciennes, 1840), Plicofollis dussumieri (Valenciennes, 1840), and Plicofollis layardi (Günther, 1866) collected from coastal areas of the Persian Gulf during spring and winter 2017. A total of 495 fishes were collected, including 151 N. thalassina, 12 N. bilineata, 212 P. dussumieri, and 120 P. layardi. The four species showed significant differences in total length as a measure of body size. Total length of these four species also differed significantly between the four seasons and between the sexes. Three species, i.e., N. thalassina, P. dussumieri, and P. layardi showed an overall female-biased sex ratio, while the sex ratio of N. bilineata did not differ from the expected equal proportions. The patterns of gonad development, gonadosomatic index, and hepatosomatic index of the four species showed that the breeding season of N. thalassina, P. dussumieri, and P. layardi was probably during winter. N. bilineata showed a different pattern; its breeding season is therefore expected to be spring. The size at first maturity of N. thalassina, P. dussumieri, N. bilineata, and P. layardi, was 44.99, 30.55, 29.60, and 27.01 cm, respectively. This study provides essential information for correct management during the reproductive cycle to maintain a healthy stock of these fishes.