Reproductive biology of Trichiurus lepturus (Pisces: Trichiuridae) off the southwest coast of Puerto Rico

Trichiurus lepturus (Pisces: Trichiuridae) locally known as "machete" is the most commercially important fish in the family. It is considered a deep-water species, depths greater than 50m, but is known to be in shallow coastal waters. A total of 184 individuals were obtained from commercial fishermen from Mayaguez Bay and Boqueron Bay, Cabo Rojo, in southwest Puerto Rico. Observations of the gonads suggest reproductive activity. Overall sex ratio was 2.59:1 (female/male). Size at sexual maturity (50% mature individuals) for the females in preanal (PL) and total lengths (TL) was 18.7 cm and 52.0 cm. This method was not applicable to the males. The smallest male captured was sexually mature at 12.7 cm (PL) 35.3 cm (TL). Histological analyses suggest that T. lepturus spawns in inshore waters and has a protracted spawning period (March to November). It is an asynchronous, multiple spawning fish. Batch fecundity estimates range from 13,497 to 59,169 ova per event (3,647.9 ova per gram, CL +/- 85,213).