GONADOSOMATIC INDEX (GSI) HEPATOSOMATIC INDEX (HSI), CONDITION FACTOR (K) AND LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP (LWR) IN EPINEPHELUS GUAZA INHABITING SUSA COAST, EL-GABAL AL-AKHADAR, LIBYA

Abstract

A total of 207 specimens of Epinephelus guaza (Family: Serranidae) were collected from Catches by long line and spear fishing operating on Susa Coast on the Mediterranean sea , Libya were studied monthly from April 2010 to March 2011. hepatosomatic index (HSI), condition factor (K) and length-weight relationship (LWR) were evaluated. Monthly variations of GSI in both sexes showed the higher values during the period from June to September when HSI values were lower. Based on the values of GSI and HSI, the reproductive cycle of E. guaza is designated into prespawning period (April–May), spawning period (June-September), and posts pawning period (October-November). The correlation coefficient for length weight relationship was 0.99. The value of regression coefficient for both sexes was isometric (b = 2.969). The highest values of condition factors were recorded in summer (K 1.75) and autumn (K 1.63). The data revealed that E. guaza is a seasonal breeder and reproduction took a longer duration of time.