Abstract:
The spotted scat, Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus, 1766) is a component of the estuarine ecosystem with little reproductive information. This study was conducted to describe aspects of the reproductive biology of this fish species through sex ratio, size at first sexual maturity, and spawning season. The collection of fish samples from the waters of Pabean Bay was carried out every month between January and December 2015. The fishing gear used were trap nets and gillnets. A total of 428 individuals were collected in larval, juvenile, pre-adult, and adult stages. The ratio of the number of male and female individuals is relatively balanced (1.00:1.05). The size of the male individual's first sexual maturity at a total length of 102.95 mm and 112.44 mm in female individuals. The composition of gonadal maturity level and gonadal maturity index value indicated that there was the reproductive activity that lasted throughout the year and increased in January−February and September−November. Information on reproductive aspects obtained in this study can be used as a basic for managing this fish resource, including through recommendations for closing locations and fishing times.
