Protogynous hermaphroditism in the half-banded sea perch, Hypoplectrodes maccullochi (Serranidae)

The half-banded sea perch, Hypoplectrodes maccullochi (Serranidae) exhibits protogynous hermaphroditism, based on the presence of transitional individuals collected from rocky reefs along the coast of New South Wales, Australia. Males dominated the larger size and age classes, whereas females predominated the smaller size and age groups. Histological preparations suggested that sex change occurs between 55–85 mm s.l. and 1 + to 4+ years of age. Three transitional phases were identified which varied according to the proportion of gametogenic tissue and remnant oocytes present within their gonads. All individuals greater than 85 mm s.l. were functional males containing well defined crypts of spermatids and spermatozoa. Remnant oocytes within these testes indicated prior female function. H. maccullochi were sexually monochromatic. The occurrence of some small males derived from pre-spawning females suggested pre-maturational sex change occurred in some individuals. Sex changing individuals were found in all the months of the year that gonads were examined in detail (January, February, April and June 1989). Fish were ripe in August and November. H. maccullochi conforms with the pattern of reproduction evident within the genus Hypopleclrodes .