OVARIAN CYCLING FREQUENCY AND BATCH FECUNDITY IN THE QUEENFISH, SERIPHUS POLITUS: ATTRIBUTES REPRESENTATIVE OF SERIAL SPAWNING FISHES

Abstract

Egg production by Seriphus politus near San Diego in southern California was studied during 1978-79. Spawning frequency was estimated on the basis of incidence of females with hydrated eggs. Estimates of annual egg production were an order of magnitude greater than estimates based on conventional methods. Seriphuspolitus spawns during March-August, and females mature at 10.0-10.5 cm standard length in their first spring or second summer following birth. Planktonic eggs are spawned between late afternoon and early evening. Spawning is asynchronous among females, but has monthly peaks in intensity during the waxing (first quarter) of the moon. Fecundity is proportional to size and is better correlated with weight than with length of female. Individuals spawn once a week on average, regardless of body size. Larger females begin spawning earlier in the season and continue spawning after the smallest females have ceased. Recruit spawners and the largest repeat spawners produce about 12 to 24 batches of eggs during their respective spawning seasons. The average-sized female spawns about 300,000 eggs in a year. Relative fecundity is an increasing function of body size. Larger females produce larger eggs, and all females produce larger eggs earlier in the season. Implications of these life-history attributes are discussed.