Investigations on larvae of commercial fish from Hurghada, Red Sea with notes on the spawning seasons and grounds of some species

The present work deals with the study of fish larvae of coral reef fishes in the Red Sea (Hurghada). It was aimed to study the spatial and temporal variations of fish larvae for management purposes. Sampling stations were chosen at Marina, Sheraton, Magawish and Arabia. The samples were taken monthly throughout the period of the study from August ۲۰۱۴ to July ۲۰۱۵ using plankton nets of different mesh sizes (۱۵۰, ۳۵۰, and ۵۰۰ micron). The highest density of larvae was observed in July when ۸۴۱ larvae ۱۰۰۰m-۳ were collected whereas, the lowest density was recorded in March and October at ۱۱ ۱۰۰۰m-۳. The highest number of species was recorded in Sheraton with ۲۸ species followed by Magawish with ۲۷ species recorded followed by Marina with ۲۶ species recorded while the lowest was recorded in Arabia with ۲۵ species. Concentration of larvae was significantly different between months and sites. There was a significant difference in the number of species between months but not between stations. Larvae of mullid fish were abundant in summer while larvae of clupeids were observed all year round.

Keywords:

Fish larvae , Commercial fish , Red Sea , Fisheries management