Age and reproduction of the southern king croaker Menticirrhus americanus in subtropical South Atlantic environments

Menticirrhus americanus were sampled (n = 393) from two beaches (P1 is an estuarine beach near the mouth of Paranaguá Estuarine Complex, and P2 a adjacent to Complex) in subtropical region western South Atlantic waters between August 2015 June 2016. This study aimed identify spawning season age structure for M. using sampling methods. For at P1 beach, seine, line, pole used, while samples obtained artisanal fishers. Females numerically dominant all months both sites except February when males became dominant. The species exhibited protected reproductive with multiple peaks December. Males females captured gonadal development stages ages 1 6 sites. At first maturity, length was 16.3 cm, mean maturity 1.3 years. Individuals aged 3 years (68%). results suggested that young adults use same habitats throughout their ontogeny.