Sexual maturation, size and age of the black-spot tuskfish, Choerodon schoenleinii captured from the Yaeyama Islands area of Okinawa, Japan

Abstract

The sexual maturation and age of the black-spot tuskfish Choerodon schoenleinii captured from the Yaeyama Islands area, Okinawa, Japan, was investigated. In total, 422 fish landed from April 2009 to March 2011 were measured for total length (TL), and 45 fish were purchased for the analysis of the gonad and otolith. All fish < 60 cm in TL were female, and the mature females were over 35.4–48.1 cm in TL (age: 1-6 years old). Ovarian development started in November, and well-developed oocytes were found in March and April. All fish ≥ 60 cm in TL (age: 5–14 years old) were males.