Période de ponte, sex-ratio et maturité sexuelle du brochet de mer Sphyraena sphyraena (Teleostei, sphyraenidae) au nord et a l'est de la cote Tunisienne (Mediterranée occidentale et centrale)

Abstract

A total of 921 individuals was studied between 2001 and 2002. The sample comprised 366 males and 519 females. The survey of the spawning period, the age and size at first sexual maturity of European barracuda (Sphyraena sphyraena) was firstly studied off the Tunisian coast. The breeding period occurred between April and August. The yolk reserves are stored in the liver and indicated that European barracuda is a lean species. The analysis of the seasonal variations of the sex ratio showed that females are significantly outnumbered. By contrast, males outnumbered females in May and June and for size classes ranged between 25 and 29cm. Percent of specimens by related to size classes and sex, allowed assess the size and the age at first sexual maturity. The value of L sub(50) (50% of mature) for both sexes is 26cm total length and approximately for one (1) year specimens