Spawning periodicity, sexual maturity, and reproductive potential of talang queenfish, Scomberoides commersonnianus from the south-eastern Arabian Sea, India

Rajesh, K M and Abdussamad, E M and Mridula, R and Thomas, Sujitha and Viswambharan, Divya and Ail, Sunil S and Kuriakose, Somy (2026) Spawning periodicity, sexual maturity, and reproductive potential of talang queenfish, Scomberoides commersonnianus from the south-eastern Arabian Sea, India. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research. pp. 1-10. ISSN 2090-3278 (Submitted)

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Abstract

Knowledge of reproductive biology forms the basis for assessing population dynamics and developing sustainable exploitation strategies. Although the talang queenfish (Scomberoides commersonnianus) holds substantial commercial value, data from Indian waters are limited. This study analysed 723 specimens collected from Mangaluru and Malpe landing sites along the Karnataka coast during January 2020 to December 2024 to evaluate reproductive parameters. The sex ratio of 1:0.96 (male: female) indicated no significant difference between sexes. The length at which 50% of individuals reached sexual maturity (Lm50) was estimated at 48.3 cm for females and 45.8 cm for males. Fluctuations in GSI values, coupled with the occurrence of various maturity stages throughout the year, reveal that the species spawns year-round with two distinct spawning peaks, a major one during April–May and a minor peak in November–December. Individual females produced between 112,479 and 1,585,944 oocytes per spawning, corresponding to sizes of 56.1 cm and 92.6 cm, respectively, with a mean fecundity of 657,720 ± 115,884. Relative batch fecundity varied from 100 to 311 eggs g−1 (mean: 218 ± 15 eggs g−1). As the first comprehensive report from Indian waters, the study delivers critical insights for guiding conservation and sustainable exploitation of this commercially significant species.

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