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Description
What is a gonad?
"Gonad" is a general term for a reproductive organ, and is used to describe both ovaries and testes. In male and female fish, the gonad is an elongated organ lying along the upper wall of the gut cavity (i.e. running immediately under the vertebral column). The gonad gonad has 2 lobes. Both lobes are attached to the body near the anus and extend forward inside the gut cavity.
As fish gonads ripen, they become larger, heavier and change colour. Immature and undeveloped adult gonads are very small, strap-like in shape, pinkish in colour and translucent (i.e. slightly see-through, like gelatin). Mature testes are typically a grey/ white/ivory colour and are slightly angular in shape. Mature ovaries are typically pink/orange and are rounded (i.e. sausage-shaped).
Why monitor reproductive stage?
The actual spawning event is difficult to observe in most species. However, by monitoring gonad development, it is possible to work out the approximate timing and location of spawning and the size/age at maturity for each species. This information can be used to protect spawning fish and manage fisheries sustainably.
ISBN
1 877098 46 9
ISSN
1447-2058
Publication Date
4-2004
Series Number
6
Publisher
Department of Fisheries Western Australia
City
Perth
Number of Pages
16
Keywords
Anglers, Fish reproductive stage, Western Australia, Spawning, Fish gonads
Disciplines
Aquaculture and Fisheries | Biology | Marine Biology | Natural Resources and Conservation | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Survival Analysis | Sustainability | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
Recommended Citation
Smith, K,
Mackie, M,
and
Department of Fisheries Western Australia.
2004. Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 6 - Anglers guide to assessing reproductive stage in fish. 6. Department of Fisheries Western Australia. Perth. , 16 pp.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/fr_fop/87
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