Maturity stages of the redbreasted wrasse Cheilinus fasciatus

Abstract

The redbreasted wrasse Cheilinus fasciatus is an ornamental fish exploited for the marine aquarium trade. Even though it has white flesh, the redbreasted wrasse is not popular as a food fish because the flesh is quite thin. The redbreasted wrasse is widely distributed in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It lives in tropical waters at depths of 4 to 60 m and at temperatures of 23 to 27°C. The objective of this study was to describe the gonad maturity stages of this fish using macroscopic characteristics. Sampling was carried out at Makassar Fishing Port from January 2018 to May 2019. The parameters observed in both male and female specimens were gonad length, width, weight, and gonad colour. Each specimen was also weighed and measured. Five gonad maturity stages were identified and described: Stage I (Immature or transition), Stage II (Early maturation), Stage III (maturation), stage IV (mature) and Stage V (post spawning or spent). These stages were described based on macroscopic structure and morphometric parameters of the gonads. The five stages coincided with changes in the Gonadosomatic Index (GSI), indicating that the five stages were valid. These stages could be used as a practical reference for identifying gonad maturity and describing the reproductive cycle of the redbreasted wrasse C. fasciatus.