Reproductive biology of estuarine catfish, Arius argyropleuron (Siluriformes: Ariidae) in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

A preliminary study on reproductive biology of estuarine catfish, Arius argyropleuron was conducted using samples collected from Merbok estuary which is located in the northern part of peninsular Malaysia. The fish samples were collected in March-December 2009 using a barrier nets deployed on mudflat opposite vegetation of mangroves. Testes and ovaries were classified base on volume relative to abdominal cavity, gonad forms, size of gonad, colors and oocytes diameter. The gonado-somatic indices showed that the fish matured throughout the year with major spawning peak for females occurred in April and minor peak in July, whereas males recorded a higher peak in November. Absolute fecundity of mature ovary was ranged from 19 to 87 eggs and was linearly related to fish length and power function to fish body weight. Three groups of eggs for the ovary in stage II and two groups in stage III were recorded. The length at first maturity for both males and females was approximately 22.5 cm in fork length.

Keywords: Arius argyropleuron, Merbok estuary, peninsular Malaysia, reproductive biology