A Study on Reproductive Investment of Leaping Grey Mullet (Liza saliens) in the Southwest Caspian Sea (Bandar Anzali)

The pattern of energy allocation to reproduction varies among the fish species due to their differences in size, habitat, feeding and reproductive strategy. This study surveyed the reproductive energy allocation of leaping grey mullet on the Anzali coast in the province of Guilan, Iran. A total number of 94 leaping grey mullet (20.32±0.2 cm [mean±SE]) were caught in three reproductive states: pre-spawning, spawning, and post-spawning from February to September 2011. The energy content liver, muscle, and ovary were investigated. The energy of liver and muscle changed over the reproductive status. Additionally, leaping grey mullet allocated less energy to reproduction. However, first and second time spawners of leaping grey mullet showed similar energy allocation to reproduction in the spawning season.