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Aspects of the reproductive biology of the sprat, Sprattus sprattus (L.) in inshore waters of the west coast of Scotland
Author(s) -
Silva S. S.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1973.tb04505.x
Subject(s) - sprat , biology , fecundity , reproductive biology , fishery , population , sex ratio , fish <actinopterygii> , reproduction , zoology , ecology , demography , herring , embryo , sociology , embryogenesis
Aspects of the reproductive biology of the sprat in inshore waters of the west coast of Scotland were investigated from August 1970 to July 1972. Spawning in sprat lasts for a period of five to six months, starting in February‐March. Minimum size of maturity is 88–90 mm in both sexes but males tend to mature earlier in the season. Sprat shed their eggs in 7–10 batches. There is generally a higher proportion of females in the population. The fecundity ranges from 8700 to 46,600 in fish between 95 and 146 mm in length. It is significantly correlated to weight, length and age.