Assessing the Growth Patterns and Reproductive Biology of Liza ramada in the Eastern Coast of Libya, Mediterranean Sea

Commercially, the eastern Mediterranean Sea artisanal and industrial fisheries rely heavily on the family Mugilidae. Liza ramada, the thin-lipped grey mullet, is a pelagic species that undergoes catadromous behavior. L. ramada may be found in abundance in the eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea's shallow waters. For the first time, this study aimed to examine the biology of L. ramada in the southern Mediterranean Sea, namely along the Am Al-Razm coast. This study will be valuable to those who are involved in assessing and management of Liza ramada fisheries. About 500 fish specimens of the thin-lipped grey mullet (Liza ramada) were randomly sampled on a monthly basis during the period from January to December 2022. They were obtained from the fish landing site at Am Al-Razm coast, which is located along the eastern most stretch of the Libyan coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. The present work highlighted key biological aspects of this species. These include an isometric growth pattern, seasonal fluctuations in physical condition, and dietary preferences largely consisting of diatoms and other marine elements, which vary with the fish's size. In addition, the study detailed the reproductive aspects, viz. varying maturation sizes for different genders, a specific spawning season, and considerable variation in fecundity based on the size of the fish. These findings contribute significantly to the understanding of the biology and ecology of L. ramada in the Mediterranean region.