Some reproductive traits, fishery status, and the degree of r-selection of the squaretail coral grouper Plectropomus areolatus (Rüppell, 1830) and the roving coral grouper Plectropomus pessuliferus (Fowler, 1904) in the Red Sea

Abstract

Some reproductive traits, fishery status, and the degree of r-selection were established in the Red Sea groupers, Plectropomus areolatus and P. pessuliferus, using monthly random samples and secondary data from the previous studies. Aging was done by counting vertebral annuli, and egg count by a colony counter. The average lengths of P. areolatus and P. pessuliferus were 40.76±1.03 and 61.55±2.34cm. Four and seven age groups were observed in the two fish in order. The sex ratio was in favor of females in P. areolatus and males in P. pessuliferus. Both fish aggregated and bred in the summer; the males matured first. The absolute and relative fecundities of P. areolatus were higher than those of P. pessuliferus even though it was the smaller fish. Both fish were heavily fished. P. pessuliferus is relatively less r-selected (r-strategist) than P. areolatus and, therefore, is potentially more vulnerable to fishing pressure. Means of fishery management were suggested.