Reproductive cycle of Lactophrys quadricornis (Pisces : Ostraciidae) from the northeast coast of Venezuela

Reproductive biology was studied in Lactophrys quadricornis, from samples c ollected monthly from May 1990 to April 1991 in the east coast of Venezuela . Sex ratio was 1:1; half the population matured at total lenght of 198 mm for males and 222 mm for females. Minimal sizes for maturity was 160 and 17 0 mm of L.T in males and females, respectively. The Gonadosomatic Index (IG ) and gonadal maturity stages suggest year around reproduction with two pea ks: from June through September, and from January through February. Weight, ovary lenght and frequency of females in stages TV and V, are the evidence . Asynchronous development of the ovocytes with diameters between 0.399 to 0.930 mm, indicates that spawning is fractionate. Mean fecundity was 112 53 6 +/- 57 047.97 eggs, and increases with lenght and weight of the fish and weight and length of the ovaries.