Biology of Finfish and Shellfish

4.1.1 Reproduction in fishes

Reproduction is a fundamental biological process which enables continuation of species. In fisheries biology, reproduction assumes greater significance to understand sexual dimorphism, process of maturation, size or age of maturity, breeding season, spawning area, sexual segregation, migration, fecundity, embryonic and larval development and recruitment. Most of the management strategies in capture fisheries are based on reference points that are the manifestations of reproductive biology. In aquaculture, knowledge of reproductive biology of a fish is essential for hatchery production of fish feeds.