Reproductive biology of the annular seabream,Diplodus annularis (Linnaeus, 1758), in the Gulf of Gabes (Central Mediterranean)

Annular seabream, Diplodus annularis (Linnaeus, 1758), were caught off the coast of the Gulf of Gabes (Southern Tunisia, Central Mediterranean) between April 2008 and March 2010 by commercial catches. With a total 2066 specimens the fish ranged in size from 7.7 cm to 18.5 cm total length and from 7.5 g to 123.3 g in weight. Changes in biological parameters (weight, length, gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and condition factor) were examined in order to provide information on the spawning period and reproductive cycle in the gulf. Overall sex ratio was 1 : 1.52 in favour of females. The reproductive season extends from March to June, with a spawning activity peak in May. Total length at sexual maturity was 10.5 ± 0.22 cm (males) and 10.6 ± 0.3 cm (females). The results of this study could help to establish a recommended minimum capture size.