Reproductive Traits of Five-Line Snapper, Lutjanus quinquelineatus (Bloch, 1790) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae), from Southern South China Sea, Malaysia

The reproductive biology of fishes is crucial for providing reliable and scientifically sound recommendations for managing, monitoring, and evaluating fisheries regionally. This study aims to determine the reproductive characteristics of Lutjanus quinquelineatus(Bloch, 1790) in the Terengganu, southern South China Sea, Malaysia. A total of 527 specimens (255 males and 272 females) were collected using trawl net from April 2022 to March 2023. These specimens were measured, with total length ranging between 14.3 cm and 26.7 cm (mean ± SD: 19.1 ± 1.9 cm), and body weight ranging from 38.6 g to 316.8 g (mean ± SD: 119.1 ± 37.8 g). Sex ratio, gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), spawning period, fecundity, condition factor (Kn), length at maturity (L_m) and the gonadal maturation stages were assessed in this study. No significant difference (χ2 = 0.54) was observed in the overall monthly sex ratio of male and female (1:1.07). The spawning season is determined by the GSI and gonad maturation stages, extending from February to June with peak periods in March. The evaluation of the relationship between the Kn and the HSI revealed that body energy and lipid storage in the liver may not be crucial factors for gonad development. The batch fecundity of 34 mature females ranged from 17.6 to 25.2 cm in length, with body weight ranging from 79.4 to 279.3 g, yielding 19,314 to 98,880 oocytes. The fecundity increased with gonad weight in contrast to the length and weight of fish. The lengths at maturity for males and females were 20.8 cm and 20.1 cm, respectively. This study offers indispensable information that will update the existing database and contribute to developing effective fishery management strategies in the specified area.