A Snapshot of the Age, Growth, and Reproductive Status of Gray Triggerfish (Balistes Capriscus, Gmelin 1789) on Three Artificial Reefs in the Northwest Gulf of Mexico
Age, growth, and reproductive status of gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) were identified from 2015-2016 on artificial reefs in the northwest Gulf of Mexico. Individuals ranged from 232-432 mm fork length with and a mean fork length of 319 mm. Individuals from age 0.2 to 5.2 yrs were observed with a weight to length relationship of Wg = 1.1 x -104 x FL2.7 (r2 = 0.94, n = 112), where FL = fork length (mm) and Wg = weight (g). A von Bertalanffy growth equation of Lt = 326(1 - e - 0.9 (t + 1.71)) was calculated irrespective of sex. Gonadosomatic index and histological characterization of reproductive tissue identified June-August as the peak spawning season. A female length to batch fecundity (BF) relationship of Log BF = 2.79 x Log (FL 0.81) (r2 = 0.28) was identified. Continued management of gray triggerfish on artificial reefs is necessary to increase the stock and eventually lead to robust and sustainable fisheries
