ASPEK BIOLOGI lKAN KERAPU EKOR PUTIH Epinephelus areolatus FORSSKAL, 1775) DI PERAIRAN DESA GALESONG KOTA KABUPATEN TAKALAR

Areolate grouper is kinds of fish that exploited by fisherman in Galesong Kota Village. This is caused the decreased of it population and concerned to be extinct, therefore conservation is in efforts. This research aims to find out some biological aspect of areolate grouper such as, sex ratio, gonad maturity level(GML), gonad maturity index(GMI), and first time size of mature gonad. This research held on March-May 2013 in Galesong Kota Village, Takalar Regency. Applied method in this reseech is Descriptive Method. Gonad observation conducted morphologically. The results of the showed that morphological ratio between female, transition and male 8 .' 1 .' 9. GML I, 111,lV, and lX dominant in March, GML II, W, VII, VIII,.x and GML V dominant in May. Highest GMI rate of female phase is on May, with GMI average 0,6600%, highest GMI phase transition on April with GMI average 1,3619'36, and highest GMI of male phase is on April with GMI average 0,7709% Areolate grouper size of female phase for the tirst time of mature gonad at length of 230 mm and weight of 223 gr and male phase at body length of 290 mm and weight of 284 gr