Female Fish

[umvahed]

Hi Guys, just a quick one for all who can assist.
Is there a general rule when checking whether a fish is a female or not? And apart from a bloated belly, how do you know a fish is carrying eggs? I know some fish experience sex change after a while etc, but I feel it would be better if we knew which fish we catch even though they are allowed size - to throw back to allow them to reproduce further. I know it takes a males err... you know... also, but females are the ones to facilitate the laying of eggs etc. Any advice appreciated
 

[John F]

Well, most species have a male:female ratio of 1:1 or around that... so it really doesn't matter... on the other hand it IS VERY difficult to distinguish male/female in most bony species... with sharks and rays that's easy ...

Some species do have morphological features that do them apart immediately (e.g. dorado), but in others (e.g. couta, tunas, even bills) only histological examination can be certain....

Bottom line here is: the most fecund individuals (be it males or females) are the largest ones!!!! The put more eggs and these eggs are more viable that smaller individuals... which doesn't help because these are the trophies most anglers want to take a pic off ... back at the club!!!! 

[SAfish]

Bottom line here is: the most fecund individuals (be it males or females) are the largest ones!!!!

Then the fish don't have to worry about me because I can't catch big ones. 

[umvahed]

   Thanks for that mate.
Well personally, im no trophy hunter - i may go boat fishing once a year ( twice has been the most and have only been deep sea once) - so whenever the big ones come along i just try to distinguish but cant. Im more of a Estuary Angler, thats why this is important as Grunter and Salmon are high on the list of "Trophies" for me. The only differnce ive noticed is that some grunters i catch have the normal flat eye and other bigger species are like sunken/smaller. Any difference there or is that species difference?


When you say eggs are more viable, what do u mean exactly?

[John F]

When you say eggs are more viable, what do u mean exactly?

There's lots of technicalities here and I'll avoid that... basically the largest their are the better quality of the eggs (more yolk, etc) and sperm... thus they are more viable... of course till they get to an old age and their reproductive output decreases... but I guess an old senile fish won't survive very long.... it's like any other female... young females (dogs, cats, even humans) are not the best breeders.... they must mature to their full potential... makes sense?