Spawning Time
Dog snapper just after releasing gametes. Photo © Will Heyman/TNC
The time of spawning varies from species to species, and may occur at the same time over several days, such as in cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus)1, or only once during a single day of the aggregation period, such as in camouflage grouper (Epinephelus polyphekadion)2.
Some examples of these variations are as follows:
- Some species may spawn during the day, while others may spawn at sunset or sunrise. Still others may spawn at night3. Utmost caution is advised, and careful attention to safety considerations is urged, for nighttime underwater assessment of FSAs.
- For some species, the actual duration of spawning within the FSA may be brief (few to several minutes). For others, such as cubera snapper or mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis), spawning may go on for up to an hour or longer.
- Spawning behavior has been documented for many species. Record observations and, if possible, conduct photographic or video documentation to provide records to assist others in understanding these rarely witnessed events.