Reproductive biology of Silver Croaker (Plagioscion squamosissimus) species of fishery importance in the Lower Amazon, Pará, Brazil

Abstract

Fishing is an important commercial activity in the Amazon region. In the Lower Amazon, the species Plagioscion squamosissimus, popularly known as silver croaker, is one of the main commercial fish of the region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive biology of that species commercialized in Santarem-PA in order to quantify the sex ratio, determine the reproductive period, and estimate the average length at the first sexual maturation (L50). The specimens were collected weekly between August 2014 and July 2015 in the main fish landing port in the city. A total of 314 individuals were sampled, being 170 (54.14%) females and 144 (46.85%) males. The total lengths were higher for females, with no significant difference for gender. The maximum reproductive activity was observed in the end of the drought and in the beginning of the flood season (November, December and February). The total length average considering the first sexual maturity (L50) was estimated in 19,6 cm for females. These results can be translated into information of extreme importance for local fishery management, targeting both conservation and rational use of natural stocks of silver croaker.