Reproductive biology and early life stage abundance and distribution of bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) in the Hudson River Estuary, United States of America

Bay anchovy were studied in the Hudson River Estuary to determine spawning season and daily spawning times, reproductive biology parameters and egg mortality, and abundance and distribution of eggs, larvae, and adults. Spawning occurred from May through September and daily spawning time was between 2000 hours and 0600 hours during peak spawn. The average size spawning fish weighed 3.0 g and measured 75 mm (total length) and females spawned a mean of 506.1 eggs/g. Instantaneous hourly mortality rates ranged from 0.06 to 0.24 and more than 85% of daily spawned eggs died before hatching. Eggs, larvae, and adults were found throughout the study area and were most abundant in June and July. Hudson River bay anchovy are larger, spawn longer, and produce fewer eggs per gram of female than more southerly populations, suggesting latitudinal differences.