Research Article: Reproduction and spawning patterns of Atule mate (Cuvier, 1833) in the Persian Gulf & Oman Sea, Hormozgan coastal waters

Reproduction and spawning patterns of the Yellowtail scad (Atule mate) were studied in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea (Hormozgan coastal waters) from December 2016 to November 2017. A total of 447 fish were collected from Bandar Lengeh, Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, and Bandar Jask landing sites. Minimum and maximum fork lengths of this species were 10 and 33 cm, with average 20.63±1.73 cm. The total weight ranged from 12.9 to 363.2 g, with average 113.08±31.69g. The relationship between length and weight was obtained as W=0.017L 2.89(R2=0.92) which showed that the fish has an isometric growth. Monthly analysis of the reproductive stages and gonadosomatic index showed that reproductive cycle beginning in January and continued with a sharp decreasing trend from March. The mean length at first maturity (Lm50%) for female was 19.8 cm. The sex ratio )F:M) was 1.5:1.