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The reproductive biology of the European hake (Merlucciusmerluccius, Linnaeus, 1758) was studied in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters from December 2009 to November 2011. The sex ratio revealed that males dominated the catch in groups from 13.0 to 32.0 cm, while females dominated for larger groups (33.0-47.0 cm). Generally, males dominated the catch in all seasons. Length at first sexual maturity was found to be 21.8 cm and 24.0 cm for males and females respectively. For both sexes gonadosomatic index reached maximum values during February and March, and the spawning season extended from April to June. Hepatosomatic index showed higher values during April and May. Ova diameter ranged from 0.28 mm to 0.84 mm. The average fecundity ranged from 40706 to 420950 eggs for the size range 25.0-53.0 cm. Absolute fecundity increased proportionally with fish length and weight.

Research on morphometrics, size frequency, length-weight relationship and condition factor belonging to both sexes of Merluccius merluccius in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters off Alexandria in the period from 2009 to 2011. The differences between the mean values of the measured morphometric characteristic in the females and males were statistically significant in eight of the fifteen morphometric measurements. The total length-gutted weight relationship was determined for males (Log a = À2.5016, b = 3.22296), females (Log a = À2.5886, b = 3.2816) and combined sexes (Log a = À2.5069, b = 3.22738). Total length-weight relationship was for males (Log a = À2.4715, b = 3.2230), females (Log a = À2.6279, b = 3.3182) and combined sexes (Log a = À2.46607, b = 3.21954). Condition factor was calculated by gutted weight. Females have higher condition value (0.670) than males (0.640). The highest value of condition factor was recorded in winter. ª 2014 Hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries.