TIMING AND SITES OF PARTURITION OF THE VIVIPAROUS SCORPIONFISH, SEBASTISCUS-MARMORATUS

Timing and sites of parturition of the viviparous scorpionfish Sebasti scus marmoratus were investigated both in aquaria and natural habitats of a rocky coast in southern Japan. Females released 4 mm TL larvae d uring the early night in winter. Night spawning may be advantageous in avoiding predators of both larvae and spawners, because most such pre dators are inactive during the night. Females inhabiting shallow areas (< 6 m depth) moved to deeper sites for parturition, but ones inhabit ing deeper areas (6-8 m depth) gave birth within their usual habitats. This migration may be advantageous in effective larval dispersal.