Studies on the reproductive biology of the brown prawn Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius, 1798) along the Kakinada coast

Five ovarian maturation stages are recognised in Metapenaeus monoceros. Males and females attain size at first maturity at 96 and 116 mm total length (TL) respectively. Each female spawns at least four times in its life time with an interval of about 2 months between successive spawnings. After attaining maturity, males are sexually active throughout their life. Spwaning season is prolonged extending from January to October. The following linear relationships are obtained between fecvmdity and total length/ total weight/ovary weight