Reproductive Biology of the Mullet, Rhinomugil corsula (Hamilton, 1822) (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) in the Sitakunda Coast of Bay of Bengal, Chattogram, Bangladesh

Abstract

Reproductive biology of the Corsula Mullet, Rhinomugil corsula (Hamilton, 1822) (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) was carried out based on 1166 (394 male and 772 female) fish samples collected monthly from the fishermen’s catch of Sitakunda coast of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh, from December 2016 to November 2017. Yearly male and female sex ratio were 1 : 1.96 (P < 0.01). In the male fish, immature, mature, and spent gonads were recorded as 69%, 27%, and 4%, respectively, while in the female fish, immature, maturing, mature, ripe, and spent gonads were recorded as 72%, 9% 11%, 5%, and 3%, respectively. First sexual maturity in male and female fish was attained at 16 cm and 21.5 cm length, respectively. The fish was a prolonged breeder with a peak in late monsoon. Highest GSI and GLI of male and female were recorded in September. Spawning season extended from July to November, and the peak was in September. Ova‐diameter ranged from 0.01 mm to 0.81 mm. Fecundity varied from 31488 to 251880 eggs/fish. Fecundity factor varied between 1099.09 and 2808.23 eggs/g of body weight. Relationships between fecundity and total body length, total body weight, ovary length, and ovary weight were highly significant (P < 0.01).