Fecundidad del ángel de Cortés Pomacanthus zonipectus (Teleostei: Pomacanthidae) en la Isla Espíritu Santo, Golfo de California, México Fecundity of Cortez angelfish Pomacanthus zonipectus (Teleostei: Pomacanthidae) off Espíritu Santo Island, Gulf of California, Mexico

The Cortez angelfish Pomacanthus zonipectus is an important species for the aquarium market and knowledge of its reproductive potential is useful to establish strategies for its fishery management. To estimate partial and relative fecundity, samples of P. zonipectus were collected during the breeding season (June–November) off Espiritu Santo Island, Gulf of California, Mexico. After a histological study, mature ovaries that showed no evidence of spawning were selected for analysis. The minimum sample size was calculated with a new methodology based on the von Bertalanffy model and fecundity was calculated using the hydrated oocytes method. The minimum sample size was 0.04 g. Mean partial fecundity was 40,755 oocytes female–1, and relative fecundity was 79.4 oocytes g–1 eviscerated weight (EW) and 201.2 oocytes mm–1 standard length (SL). A positive and significant correlation was observed between partial fecundity and fish size, in both EW and SL (P < 0.05). The relation between partial fecundity and fish size (EW and SL) was expressed by an exponential function.