SEX-RATIO, SPAWNING SEASON AND SIZE AT MATURITY OF RED BANDFISH IN THE WESTERN AEGEAN SEA

The red bandfish Cepola rubescens is characterized by a normal gonocho ristic sexual organization. The overall male:female ratio did not diff er significantly (chi(2) = 4.57, P < 0.05) from the theoretical 1:1. H owever, the male:female ratio differed with season and length class an d these differences are most probably related to sexual differences in growth rate, natural mortality rate and energetic cost of reproductio n. Red bandfish spawns over an extended period, from late spring to mi d autumn, with larger females spawning earlier than smaller ones. Male s reach maturity at a larger total length, 299 mm, and age, 2.6 years, than females, 219 mm and 1.9 years respectively, a fact most probably indicating the existence of social structure in red bandfish. Finally , red bandfish matures at a comparatively smaller length and age than other fish species. (C) 1996 The Fisheries Society of the British Isle s