Factors affecting morphological development of the sagittal otolith in juvenile and adult small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis Bleeker, 1877)

The morphology and morphometrics of the sagittal otoliths of small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) from the southern Yellow Sea were investigated. Study objectives were to evaluate the shape variability and morphometric variables of sagittae of juveniles and adults as related to developmental changes and habit shift. A total of 152 fish were sampled from April to June of 2012 and 2013, along the coastal waters of the Lüsi spawning ground in the southern Yellow Sea. Changes in otolith shapes from the juvenile to the adult were presented with the rim development through the entire‐lobed‐entire transition and with the curvature of the cauda toward the ventral margin. The otolith elongation in the juvenile stage occurred at 10–20 mm standard length (SL) and was likely associated with the formation of otolith accessory growth centers from larvae to juvenile. The L. polyactis sagittal otoliths acquired their definitive shape at 130 mm SL maturity. Ontogeny on otolith shape might be related, for example, to the factors of metamorphic development, feeding habitat, and ambient water salinity, which varied throughout the growth of L. polyactis.     

Annual reproductive cycle and sexual dimorphism in the dragonet,repomucenus valenciennei, in tokyo bay, japan

The annual reproductive cycle of the dragonet,Repomucenus valenciennei, from Tokyo Bay, Japan, was studied by analysis of seasonal trends in gonadosomatic indices and histological observations of gonads. Sexual dimorphism in the growth of several body parts relative to standard length (SL) and changes in color pattern of the first dorsal fin with growth were also investigated. The spawning season lasted from spring (April [1991] or February [1992]) to autumn (October) with two spawning peaks, in spring and autumn. In spring, only one-year-old (age 1+) fish spawned, age 0+ females not spawning until autumn, at which time they had reached age 1+. Likewise, histological observations of males indicated that testes had reached full maturity by 80 mm SL (age 1+). The minimum mature size of females was estimated as 60 mm SL. In males 45–80 mm SL, the first spine of the first dorsal fin, last ray of the second dorsal fin, last ray of the anal fin, and caudal fin ray showed strongly positive allometry, indicating rapid growth of these structures relative to SL. Subsequently, their growth returned to an isometric pattern in males>80 mm SL. In females, on the other hand, the same body parts showed slightly positive allometry throughout their growth. The color pattern on the first dorsal fin also changed in males 45–80 mm SL.     

Growth of dark chub, Zacco temmincki (Cyprinidae), with a discussion of sexual size differences

I examined the annual and seasonal growth of dark chub, Zacco temmincki, in a Japanese river. Investigation of opercular rings showed that the fish reached a maximum age of 8 years. There was no significant sexual size difference at younger ages (3–5 years), but males were larger than females at older ages (6–7 years). Annual increments of length and weight for males that were recaptured were also larger than those for females. The fish spawn from June to August. Females grew for a short period from April to May, but males on average grew for a longer period from April to August. There was no sexual difference in growth rate except during the spawning period. Annual growth rate was negatively correlated with fish length in each sex. The sexual size differences at older ages of the fish might be due to the polygynous mating system in which most mature males could not obtain females and invested for somatic growth in the spawning period, and a short growing season that was overlapped considerably with the spawning period.     

Reproductive strategy of the invasive sharpbelly,Hemiculter leucisculus (Basilewsky 1855), in Erhai Lake,China

This study describes the reproductive strategy of the sharpbelly Hemiculter leucisculus, an invasive and dominant species in Erhai Lake in China with the goal of understanding how reproductive strategy contributes to its environmental adaptability and invasive potential. Specimens (n = 3583) were collected monthly or bimonthly from July 2009 to June 2011 (min: 114‐Feb, max: 883‐Aug), using gill nets (inner/outer mesh = 30/110 mm, stretched mesh). Gonads were removed, weighed and preserved for further (histological) analyses. Oocyte size‐frequency distribution was continuous and had advanced vitellogenic oocytes with postovulatory follicles present in spawning females, both suggesting that sharpbelly is a multiple spawner with adhesive eggs. Spawning extended from April to September, with the peak period from May to August. Standard lengths (SL, cm) at minimal observed maturity/L₅₀/L_99.9 values were 4.6/5.6/10.5 for females and 5.1/5.5/7.5 cm for males, respectively. Females were over‐represented (P < 0.01) in SL‐classes over 9 cm and males completely absent from the 13 to 19 cm SL‐classes. Overall sex ratio was highly significantly (P < 0.01) biased towards females (♀ = 1518, ♂ = 685, ♀/♂  = 2.21), however this was reversed in the spawning stock (8.3–16 cm, ♀ = 58, ♂ = 142, ♂/♀  = 2.45, P < 0.01). Batch spawning, a long spawning period, high male investment in reproduction and adhesive eggs all represent local adaptations in reproductive strategy that, along with other environmental factors, contribute to the invasion success of sharpbelly in Erhai.     

The reproductive biology, age and growth of the North American cyprinid, Notropis longirostris (Hay)

Notropis longirostris (Hay), the longnose shiner, in Catahoula Creek, Jourdan River drainage, Hancock County, Mississippi, was studied from May 1970 to May 1972. In 1971 reproduction occurred from late March into October, as indicated by gross examination of testes, breeding tubercles and breeding colour in males, and ovarian weights, measurements of ova, and gross examination of ovaries in females. Gross examination of ovaries in 1970 also indicated an extended reproductive season. Generally no significant differences from a 1 : 1 sex ratio or in the size of males and females in collections taken during the reproductive season were indicated. Males and females matured about the same size. Most females were sexually mature when 29–30 mm SL. The smallest female with mature ova was 28 mm; however, the majority of females did not have mature ova until 31–33 mm. The number of mature ova produced prior to spawning ranged from 15 to 129 for females 30.8–44 mm SL. There were significant differences in the number of mature ova with time, two peaks being indicated: the first in late March and April at the beginning of the reproductive period and the second in early July about the middle of the season. This conclusion is also supported by ovarian weight measurements and length frequency histograms. The mean diameters of mature ova ranged from 0.70–1.05 mm, averaging 0.90 mm, and were not significantly correlated with length. Most fish live about 1–1.5 years and do not live through two winters, indicating an annual turnover in the population. Maximum size was about 48 mm SL. Specific characteristics of the life history pattern of N. longirostris are discussed in relation to ecological conditions of the habitat.     

Migratory history of the spotted flagtail, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kuhlia marginata</Emphasis>

The spotted flagtail, Kuhlia marginata (Kuhliidae) is commonly found in streams throughout the Ryukyu Archipelago, including Okinawa Island, Japan. Although it has been suggested that they spawn at sea, little is known about their migratory history. The aim of the study was to clarify their migration history based on otolith microchemistry analysis, size composition and the gonadal development of fish collected from the Genka River on Okinawa Island. All strontium/calcium (Sr/Ca) ratios of otoliths remained high around their cores, and then dropped rapidly at some distance from the core. The estimated standard length corresponding to decreases correlated with the size of new recruits collected in the river (ca. 20 mm in standard length: SL). Multiple increases, the sign for migrations into the high saline area, were recognized intermittently around the otolith margin. As the estimated SL at these increases in the Sr/Ca ratio occurred above the minimum maturation size (female: 95.5 mm SL; male: 83.5 mm SL), such multiple increases in Sr/Ca ratios were caused by spawning migration. Therefore, we conclude that the catadromous pattern of K. marginata is as follows; this species grows in the sea during the early life stage until ca. 20 mm SL and then grow in the freshwater area until maturation, before they migrate again to the sea for spawning. Sr/Ca ratio profiles also suggested that a large number of males did not return to the freshwater area after spawning, whereas females might spawn several times during their lives around the inshore area.     

Biological traits of naturally induced hybrid individuals of two gizzard shads, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nematalosa come</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N. japonica</Emphasis>, in coastal waters around Okinawa Island,Ryukyu Archipelago,southwestern Japan

The age, growth, reproductive condition, and occurrence of natural hybrids of two Nematalosa species around Okinawa Island were examined using 128 specimens obtained from April 2003 to June 2004. Standard length (SL) reached approximately 150–210 mm within the first 2 years, and then remained stagnant. The maximum age for both sexes was ca. 5 years old. Maturity sizes and ages were estimated to be at least 173.2 mm SL and 2 years old for females and 192.6 mm SL and 3 years old for males. Spawnable individuals were mainly observed from January to March based on histological observations of gonads. Natural hybrids appeared at all sampling sites except for the Haneji Inlet and were dominant at Makiminato (in south-central Okinawa Island). Their incidence was also quite high (66.9%) in the Makiminato population, when compared with records for other marine fishes around Japan. In Okinawa Island, these shallow areas are rapidly decreasing in size because of recent reclamation and land exploitation. Hybrid production may be caused by not only the reproductive biology and sympatric distributions of the parent species but also recent environmental changes.     

Age,growth, and reproduction of blackspot snapper Lutjanus fulviflammus (Forsskål 1775) around Yaeyama Islands,southern Japan,between 2010 and 2014

Age, growth, and reproductive characteristics of blackspot snapper Lutjanus fulviflammus around the Yaeyama Islands (24°N, 124°E) in southern Japan were investigated between 2010 and 2014. Samples were caught by angling or purchased monthly at fish markets to cover all size ranges and seasons. Specimens consisted of 280 females (176–347 mm fork length), 177 males (193–325 mm), and 17 juveniles (42–128 mm). Spawning was confirmed from April to August by the presence of postovulatory follicles, which, based on the occurrence of yolked oocytes possibly also occurred in March and September. Maximum fork length and age in the specimens around Yaeyama Islands were 347 mm and 23 years for females and 325 mm and 21 years for males. These results were compared to those reported previously for the species in other regions by standardized criteria. Possible spawning duration of 7 months in the population around Yaeyama Islands is similar to that in New Caledonia (22°S, 5 months) and Okinawa Island (26°N, 6 months), but shorter than that in Tanzania (8°S) and the southern Arabian Gulf (25°N) (~12 months). The maximum body sizes and ages around Yaeyama Islands are also similar to the populations in New Caledonia and Okinawa Island (>300 mm FL, >20 years old), but larger/older than those in Tanzania and the southern Arabian Gulf (<300 mm FL, <20 years old). These differences are thought to reflect water temperature, i.e. spawning duration is shorter in lower temperature regions (annual mean <26°C, New Caledonia, Okinawa Island, Yaeyama Islands) than in higher temperature regions (annual mean >27°C, Tanzania, southern Arabian Gulf). Subsequently, a shorter spawning duration extends the life‐span as well as the maximum body size. Longevity of blackspot snapper is thought to be negatively correlated with the duration of the spawning season.     

Growth, summer cohort output, and observations on the reproduction of brook silverside, Labidesthes sicculus (Cope) in the Kawartha Lakes, Ontario

The brook silverside, Labidesthes sicculus (Cope), is unique in Canadian waters, as it completes its life cycle in 1 year. Previous studies based on scale ageing had suggested the species was an “annual,” but we confirmed this for the first time by otolith analysis. Growth rates from both back-calculation, and the Gompertz model, indicated an asymptote near the end of the summer, and average summer growth rates of 0.77 and 0.70 mm/day, respectively. The Gompertz model gave the best fit (n = 201, r = 0.744) with an L∞ of 85.4 mm TL, and instantaneous growth rate, g, of 0.0264. Back-counting daily growth increments allowed us to show that broods of young fish were produced throughout the summer, from late May to mid August, with maximum hatch taking place in mid-July. The species is a “batch” (serial) spawner, with only a fraction of the eggs ripening in the ovary and being released at as yet undetermined intervals. Eggs of the larger immature fish in the first summer developed from 0.05 to 0.21 mm in diameter (preserved) by fall, and in mature fish of the following spring and summer, developed to 1.2 mm in diameter (preserved), 1.4 mm fresh, at spawning. Attached to each egg was a filament averaging 2.0 cm in length, adhesive in nature, and presumably for attachment to vegetation. The egg also had microscopic hairs on its surface. No evidence was found to support temperature-dependant sex determination, nor were embryos or sperm found in the ovaries of spawning females, unlike Labidesthes sicculus vanhyningi, (the southern subspecies) which has internal fertilization. The Canadian species possesses a genital papilla through which the eggs were released, and an apparently much smaller male genital papilla than the southern subspecies.     

Age and growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizothorax waltoni</Emphasis> in the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet,China

Age and growth were studied for Schizothorax waltoni in the middle reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, southwest of China, from April 2004 to September 2006. A total of 201 specimens were collected ranging from 110 to 580 mm in standard length (SL). In contrast to other otoliths, sectioned lapillus showed a clear pattern of alternating opaque and hyaline zones. Marginal increment analyses showed that the increments, each composed of one opaque and one hyaline zone, are deposited annually. Opaque edges were prevalent from May to August. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters based on sectioned otolith data were L _t  = 689.8{1 − exp[0.051 (t + 3.275)]} for males, and L _t  = 691.1{1 − exp[0.056 (t + 2.466)]} for females. The slow growth and long life indicate that S. waltoni is vulnerable to overfishing and that harvesting strategies for the species should be conservative.     

Reproductive cycle and reproductive output of the sea urchin Loxechinus albus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) from Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Reproductive cycle, frequency and duration of spawning, energetic content of gonads, and reproductive output of the common green sea urchin Loxechinus albus were analyzed in the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego) between May 2004 and May 2005. Gonad indices (GI, percentages of gonad mass in total body mass) were significantly higher in March, April, July, and August than in November and May, thus showing a negative correlation with the photoperiod. Highest GI values of mature individuals were observed in August, and spawning occurred from September to December. In females, the mass-specific energy content of gonads (ECG) was highest in spawned gonads and lowest in mature ones, while in males ECG values were higher in immature stage and lower in premature and mature stages. High ECG values can be explained by the abundance of nutritive phagocytes. Both ECG and total gonad energy content (TECG) were higher in females than in males. Mean reproductive output was 7.28% for females and 6.15% for males (expressed as the difference between mean GI of mature and spawned gonads) and 25.02 kJ for females and 19.26 kJ for males (expressed as the difference between mean TECG of mature and spawned gonads).     

Age, growth, and reproductive biology of the Waigieu seaperch Psammoperca waigiensis (Perciformes: Latidae) around Okinawa Island, Japan

Age, growth, and reproductive biology of the Waigieu seaperch Psammoperca waigiensis were studied using 291 specimens obtained around Okinawa Island, Japan. Otolith opaque zones that formed every year correlated with spawning activity and were thought to be annual rings. Growth of this species was rapid during the first 2 years, reaching 186.2–270.3 mm in standard length (SL). Females (196.6–334.0 mm SL) were larger than males (186.2–288.6 mm SL), caused by differential growth between sexes, which started before 2 years of age. Most of the specimens were 1–11 years old and accounted for 96% in total. Spawning season was estimated to be from April to October by gonadosomatic index (GSI) and histological observation. The smallest mature female and male were 217.0 mm SL (2 years) and 206.0 mm SL (2 years), respectively. After recruitment in rocky areas up to about 200.0 mm SL and 2 years of age, Psammoperca waigiensis were then found to soon mature.     

Current status and ecological characteristics of the Chinese temperate bass Lateolabrax sp., an alien species in the western coastal waters of Japan

A total of 263 adult and preadult Chinese temperate bass Lateolabrax sp. caught at 20 locations in the coastal waters of western Japan from October 1999 to September 2008 were used for age, growth and maturity examinations. Examination of marginal increments of transverse sections of otoliths showed that rings (opaque zones) were formed once a year from spring to summer. According to the number of rings and the sampling month, ages were assigned to individuals. For males, we obtained the following von Bertalanffy growth equation: L(t) = 618{1 − e^{−0.420 (t + 0.273)}}. Females attain sizes over 600 mm SL mainly after 5 years of age and attain sizes of 850–1,000 mm SL at 8–10 years and over 1,100 mm SL about 15 years. Based on histological examinations of gonads and seasonal changes in gonadosomatic indices, potential spawning period was confirmed during mid-October to late January. In males, the minimum size and age at first maturity were estimated as 380 mm SL and 2 years old, respectively, though most males reach sexual maturity at 3–4 years old. Furthermore, female specimens at the mature or developing stages were over 470 mm SL and 4 years old.     

Reproductive biology and implications for management of the orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides in the southern Arabian Gulf

The reproductive biology of Epinephelus coioides was determined from the examination of 1455 individuals collected between July 2005 and June 2007 in the southern Arabian Gulf. Histological preparations of gonads indicated that males were either derived from a juvenile phase or the transition of postspawning females, confirming a diandric protogynous sexual pattern. The spawning season was well defined, occurring once a year during April and early May. Peaks in spawning occurred after the full and new moons and was completed within a single lunar cycle. The presence of mature males over the entire size and age range and the absence of inactive mature females during the spawning season suggested that the population was not constrained by sperm limitation. While specimens undergoing sexual transition were only observed in size and age ranges of 335–685 mm total length ( L _T) and 5–6 years, patterns in the proportion of males in size and age classes suggested that sex change occurred at a relatively constant rate after female maturation up to the maximum size (1002 mm L _T) and age (11 years). Relationships between reproductive output and capacity with size and age indicated that conventional regulations that equate the mean size at first capture to sexual maturation are unsuitable for the management of E. coioides . The maximum age, small size and young age at sexual maturation ( L _min= 320 mm L _T, 2 years, for females and 242 mm L _T, 1 year, for males) conflict with the general pattern for large epinepheline groupers and may be a direct result of the intensive demersal fishery in the southern Arabian Gulf.     

Reproductive biology of the greyfin croaker <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pennahia anea</Emphasis> in the northern South China Sea

The greyfin croaker Pennahia anea is one of the most common croakers currently on retail sale in Hong Kong, but there are no regional studies on its biology or fishery. The reproductive biology of the species, based on 464 individuals obtained from local wet markets, was studied over 16 months (January 2008–April 2009) using gonadosomatic index (GSI) and gonad histology. Sizes used in this study ranged from 8.0 to 19.0 cm in standard length (SL). Both the larger and smaller size classes were missing from samples, implying that they are infrequently caught in the fishery. Based on GSI data, the approximate minimum sizes for male and female maturation were 12 cm SL. The size at 50% maturity for females was 14.3 cm SL, while all males in the samples were mature. Both GSI and gonad histology suggest that spawning activity occurred from March–April to June, with a peak in May. Since large croakers are declining in the local and regional fisheries, small species such as P. anea are becoming important, although they are mostly taken as bycatch. In view of unmanaged fishing pressure, and given the decline in large croakers and sizes of P. anea presently caught, proper management of the species is suggested.     

Life history characteristics and age validation of southern kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus (Linnaeus, 1758)) in the middle South Atlantic Bight

The purpose of this study was to determine critical components of the life history including otolith age validation, growth estimation, and reproductive characteristics for southern kingfish Menticirrhus americanus. A total of 2233 southern kingfish were collected from March 2009 to December 2010. Ages were estimated and validated using thin‐sectioned otoliths. Marginal increment analysis showed a single annulus was deposited once a year between April and May. Growth was significantly different (P < 0.0001) between sexes L_inf = 418.97 ± 16.58 mm, k = 0.29 ± 0.03, t₀ = ?1.30 ± 0.10 for females and L_inf = 290.74 ± 6.93 mm, k = 0.52 ± 0.05, t₀ = ?1.08 ± 0.11 for males. Southern kingfish spawn from March to August with a peak spawn in April. Based on evidence of multiple oocyte maturation stages and post‐ovulatory follicles (POFs) southern kingfish are multiple spawners exhibiting indeterminate fecundity. Spawning frequency for females ranging from 222 to 351 mm TL (age 1–5) was estimated as one spawning event every 2.0–4.2 days with up to 6 million total ova produced per spawning season per female.     

Age,growth and reproductive traits of invasive goby Taenioides cirratus in the Chaohu Lake,China

The eel goby Taenioides cirratus (Blyth, 1,860) is a small fish inhabits muddy bottoms of brackish-water in the Indo-West Pacific. It has invaded many inland freshwater lakes in China, such as the Chaohu Lake, Gaoyou Lake and Nansi Lake, and its population increased rapidly in these freshwater lakes in recent years. The age, growth and reproductive traits of T. cirratus invading the Chaohu Lake were studied. A total of 482 specimens (210 females, 204 males and 68 juveniles) with total length (TL) ranging from 9.4 to 20.6 cm were collected using the benthic fyke nets at monthly intervals from March 2018 to February 2019. The sagittal otolith was used for age determination. Monthly variation of marginal increment ratio indicated that the annual forming of opaque band on sagittal otolith was completed during March and April. For both sexes, only four (from 0+ to 3+ years) age groups were observed and 1+ and 2+ years age individuals dominated the population. Back calculated length at age showed males grew faster than females. Both sexes reached maturity at 1+ year age and the TL at first maturity (TL₅₀) was 12.6 cm for females and 11.9 cm for males. Monthly variation of gonado-somatic index indicated that the spawning occurred from May to August. The fecundity ranged from 967 ova to 5,114 ova, with a mean of 3,205 ova. Our study provides a comprehensive data on the key life history traits of T. cirratus for the first time.     

Biological traits of a sub-Antarctic nototheniid,Patagonotothen ramsayi,from the Burdwood Bank

The rock cod Patagonotothen ramsayi (Regan 1913) is the most abundant species of the genus Patagonotothen, occurring along the Patagonian shelf. It plays an important role in the demersal food web both as prey and predator, showing an increasing importance for the local finfish and squid trawl fisheries. Age structure and the reproductive traits were investigated from the population inhabiting the eastern shelf of Burdwood Bank, which represents the southernmost area of its geographical distribution. Adult specimens of P. ramsayi were collected during bottom trawling carried out in the austral summer. The specimens were aged by otolith readings, and their reproductive characteristics were assessed by macroscopical and histological analyses. Age was similar between sexes, ranging from 4 to 7 and from 4 to 8 years in males and females of comparable size, respectively. GSI was relatively low in females (<1.5 %), as fish were sampled far from the reported spawning season (June–August). Females were all in the early developing stage (III) on the macroscopic maturity scale, with the most advanced oocytes being in early vitellogenesis. The oocyte size distribution was bi-modal, with two partially overlapping modes consisting of oocytes of a maximum size of 0.66 mm. A few large atretic oocytes (diameter > 1 mm) were found in three females. Absolute fecundity ranged from approximately 30 to 120 thousands of eggs. No relationship was found between female size and fecundity, probably due to the relatively narrow range of the investigated fish sizes. Males were in the spent (VII) or resting (II) stages.     

Reproductive biology of racer goby Neogobius gymnotrachelus in the Włocławski Reservoir (Vistula River, Poland)

Initial studies on the reproductive parameters and spawning behaviour of racer goby Neogobius gymnotrachelus, one of three Ponto‐Caspian gobiid species recently invading Polish waters, were carried out in W?oc?awski Reservoir (lower River Vistula, Poland), where spawning lasted from April to August. Males were on average about 23.3% longer and 53.8% heavier than females. The smallest female with mature gonads was 58 mm TL (estimated age 2+ years), and males were sexually mature at 59 mm TL (age of 1+ years). Gonado‐somatic index at the beginning of spawning was seven times larger in females (mean = 8.4) than that in males (mean = 1.2). Mean absolute fecundity was 952 eggs per female (361–2236). Egg diameter ranged from 0.140 to 1.558 mm, being of bi‐modal distribution, which suggests two or three spawning bouts. Length–frequency analysis of juveniles revealed a multimodal distribution. Specialized reproductive behaviour (nest construction and parental care of eggs) and an extended spawning period increase the probability that racer goby can successfully establish self‐sustaining populations in novel environments.     

Stock discrimination of the Japanese Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius) based on the otolith shape analysis in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea

Geographic variability in sagittal otoliths shape of the Japanese Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius) was studied to test whether stock discrimination might be possible using this method. It was hypothesized that S. niphonius would show little difference in otolith shape, likely as a result of mixing between seas. A total of 164 sagittal otoliths were collected from commercial fishing vessels between April and June 2010 in three spawning grounds, that of Qingdao in the middle Yellow Sea, Lvsi in the southern Yellow Sea, Huanghua in the the Bohai Sea. To minimize the potential effect of the fish size among the three fishing grounds, a narrow size range (400–550 mm fork length) was selected. The discriminant function analysis conducted with standardized otolith shape indices and Fourier harmonics produced classification success rates ranging from 57.0 to 88.2% and worked well in the separation between the Bohai Sea group and the Yellow Sea group. No significant differences were detected among the three groups for the Lvsi spawning grounds. The otolith variables showed a distinct gradual variation tendency with the movement of fish schools from south to north. The results suggest that stock from the Bohai Sea could be managed as a separate entity from those found in the Yellow Sea.