Reproductive dynamics and nursery habitat preferences of two commercially important Indo-Pacific red snappers Lutjanus erythropterus and L-malabaricus

Red snappers were examined for reproductive biology and age-0 habitat preferences. Spawning in red snappers occurred throughout the year in northern Australia and eastern Indonesia; at least 10-30% of females and 40-80% of males were in ripe or spawning condition in most months. Northern Australian populations showed a spawning peak from July to December (L. erythropterus) and September to March (L. malabaricus). Eastern Indonesian L. malabaricus had a less defined pattern with two peaks: January-March and October. Size at first maturity was 240 mm for males and 250-300 mm for females. L (50) estimates were similar between species in northern Australia: 270-280 mm (males) and 350-370 mm (females). Maximum batch fecundity was 676,100 oocytes for L. erythropterus and 997,000 oocytes for L. malabaricus. Higher mean abundances of age-0 L. erythropterus were found in silty and coarse sand/rubble estuarine habitats of northern Australia (456 +/- A 119 fish/km(2)) compared with sandy coastal habitats (5 +/- A 3 fish/km(2)). Most age-0 snapper caught at Sape (eastern Indonesia) were L. malabaricus (91%) with mean abundances of 312 +/- A 14 fish/km(2). The similarities in the reproductive characteristics of red snappers suggest that successful management approaches adopted in northern Australia should be considered in eastern Indonesia.