• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.404-409
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• 2006

This study investigated the reproductive cycle of the female hairychin goby, Sagamia geneionema, histologically. The fecundity of female hairychin goby ranged from 1,002 to 1,240 eggs when they reached a total length of 9.1-10.0 cm. Fecundity is related to total length. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) increased from December (1.87$\pm$0.46) and reached a maximum in April (11.57$\pm$1.92). The histological changes in the ovary were correlated with the GSI. Oocytes at the chromatin-nucleolus and peri-nucleolus stages were observed in the ovary year-round. In December, oocytes containing yolk appeared in the ovaries of a few fish. Most oocytes appearing in January were at the yolk globule stage. The frequency of oocytes appearing at the yolk globule stage from January to March was higher than in other months. Subsequently, empty follicles and atretic oocytes were observed in the ovaries in May. Based on the histological observations of gonad development and the monthly change in the GSI, the reproductive cycle was classified into the following successive stages: growing (October to November), mature (December to January), ripe and spawning (February to April), and degenerative and resting (May to September) stages. The histological observations of ovaries during the spawning period indicate that this species is a multiple spawner with abbreviated iteroparity based on the developmental pattern of oocytes.