Contribution to the Biology of the Vermilion Snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens, in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

Abstract

Reproduction and growth of the vermilion snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens, were studied in Trinidad and Tobago. The smallest individual caught measured 145 mm total length (TL) and all fish appeared to be mature. It was not possible to precisely determine size at first maturity due to the use of macroscopic techniques. The smallest spent male and female measured 181 and 211 mm TL respectively, suggesting a size at first maturity below these sizes. Spawning occurred throughout the year, with a period of peak spawning from about June to November in the rainy season when river runoff increased. Sagittal otolith sections were used for age determination and the opaque ring, which was counted as the annulus, was deposited from January to May in the dry season. A total of 11 age groups between the ages of 2–12 years (155–505 mm total length) were found. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were: L∞=532 mm, K=0.13 y−1, and t0=−0.17, where L∞ is the asymptotic length, K is the growth coefficient and t0 is the theoretical age at zero length. The relationship between weight (WT) and length (TL) was WT=3.43×10−5 TL2.82. Vermilion snapper in this study area appears to grow slower and attain a smaller asymptotic length, but has a longer lifespan than found in populations in higher latitudes. This may be attributed to different levels of exploitation, which may be higher in the latter areas.