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A fresh water pufferfish Tetraodon lineatus in Egypt has limited information available. A total of 350 specimens were collected monthly from the river Nile, Aswan (2019). Specimens were 13.5–38.5 cm in total length with an average of 22.16 ± 5.02 cm and a total weight of 61.7–1456 g with an average of 339.86 ± 248.85 g. The length-weight relationship showed negative allometric growth, and both absolute and relative conditions decreased after March towards September, represents the spawning period. The sex ratio of 1 male to 1.28 females showed the predomination of females (56.23%) over males (43.77%) over the year. Males dominated the first length classes of 14–19 cm. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) was elevated from April to August, with its highest peak in June, and the unimodal curve indicated spawning once per year. The hepatosomatic index showed an inverse trend against the increase of GSI. Length at maturity was 18.7 cm for males and 18.2 for females. The lifespan of the fish was determined by the counting the growth rings of vertebrae No 3 was five years for both sexes at mean lengths of 14.5, 21.2, 26.3, 31.2, and 34.2 cm for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th, years respectively. Age group III was the most abundant followed by age group II. Asymptotic length was 46.29 cm, condition was 0.242 year−1, and to was −0.609 year−1, growth performance was 2.71, and longevity was 11.78 years. Our results are among the first biology and population dynamics data on the freshwater pufferfish in Egypt, and they indicate a satisfactory growth rate and ability to live longer than their age at maturity. These data could be utilized as the basis for scientific studies of physiology and toxicology, and useful in further management.

A total of 360 monosex Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) fingerlings (mean individual initial weight = 30.8 ± 2.0 g) were divided into eight equal treatments, including a control. Each treatment, including the control, consisted of three equal replicates (15 fish per replicate). The fish in the control group were fed a basal diet containing 25% protein. In the other 7 treatments, the basal diet was supplemented with pomegranate peel at a rate of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, or 20%. For 90 days, diets were fed 3 times daily at a rate of 7 to 5% of fish body weight. Afterwords, 3 fish from each replicate of the control and treatment groups were exposed to a temperature of 4oC. The first mortality was recorded at 47.3 seconds in the control group. While Nile tilapia fed with pomegranate peel exhibited a delay in the time of mortality compared to the control. Also, 3 fish from each replicate of the control and treatment groups were exposed to different salinities of 15, 25, and 37‰ for 6 days. A 100% mortality was recorded in the fish exposed to 25 and 37‰ salinity, while those exposed to 15‰ salinity exhibited 0% mortality. The present results showed that feeding pomegranate-enriched diets could improve the stressors resistance and delay mortality of the monosex Nile tilapia.

The anomalies in fish fall into two main categories: severe ones that affect their fitness, and less severe ones that don’t impact survival and may occur as a result of various external and internal factors. Abnormally developed fish can be used as indicators of water pollution because of their high incidence in polluted areas. The objectives of the present study were to report and describe for the first time severe cases of scoliosis and fin deformities in fish from Saudi Arabia. Morphological anomalies, in general, can reduce the weight of fish and, more importantly, impact the value per kg sold. Therefore, the fisheries industries should conduct research into the various etiological causes of the deformities before any management policy can be chosen.

Groupers are coral fish species of prime ecological and economic significance. The interactions among them and other coral reefs organisms aid the healthiness and species balance in this fundamental marine niches. Also, groupers are among the top priced fisheries species. The Egyptian habitats of the Red Sea are lacking genetic studies that assess species diversity for the final goal of conservation and fisheries management. Moreover, morphological similarities among these organisms sometimes hinder a proper species identification. Hence, more accurate groupers authentication methods are crucially required. Sixteen grouper species belonging to the genera Epinephelus, Anyperodon, Cephaolopholes, Aethaloperca, Variola, and Plectropomus, present in the Red Sea in Egypt, were investigated for species authentication through mitochondrial DNA variations, applying cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and 12srRNA genes sequencing. GenBank comparisons, phylogenetic analyses and comparisons of pairwise distances were carried out. All these analyses aimed to species authentication and identifying their relations at the international scale. The results exhibited >98% identity with E. fasciatus, A. rogaa, C. oligosticta, E. areolatus, V. louti, P. areolatus, E. malabaricus, C. sexmaculata, E. summana, E. chlorostigma, E. polyphekadion, C. miniataus, A. leucogrammicus, E. tauvina, C. argus, C. hemistiktos. Pairwise distances showed a clear increase upon raising comparison level from among species to among-genera. Combined 12srRNA and COI genes sequencing resulted in an accurate tool for Egyptian Red Sea grouper species unambiguous discrimination. This can provide vital aid to the active efforts for these species conservation and fisheries management in Egypt and the world.

Lessepsian Sargocentron rubrum has become common in the artisanal and semi-industrial fisheries catch. It was collected monthly from the landing site of Alexandria (Anfoushy) during 2016. Fish specimens ranged from 9.6 to 23 cm (TL) with an average of 17.30 ± 2.29 cm and from 16.86 to 214.13 g (TW) with an average of 100.28 ± 35.27 g. The exponent “b” of the L-W relationship resulted in negatively allometric mode of growth. The annual condition (K) was 1.69 ± 0.10 with maximum value 1.81 ± 0.12 (July) for combined sexes. Sex ratio (1M: 1.1F) showed the predominance of females (52.60%) over males (47.40%) during the whole year. GSI showed an elevation during spawning (June to September) with the highest value being in July, the unimodal curve referred to spawns one time per year. Length at maturity (Lm) was reported at 14 cm and 14.7 for males and females respectively. Otolith, s reading gave four years (11.6, 15.45, 18.12, and 20.43 cm) for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, years of life respectively with the dominancy of age III (48.45%). L∞ = 27.26 cm, K = 0.276 year-, Z = 1.146 year−1. The exploitation ratio (E) was 0.395 and revealed the under exploitation status of S. rubrum with a good adaptation, the species may live and reproduce in new ecosystem. Further investigation is needed to establishing the management planning for the conservation and better exploitation of such economically valuable fishery resources. Keywords: Aging, Reproductive indices, Stock status, Sargocentron rubrum, Mediterranean Sea, Egypt

The bluespotted seabream Pagrus caeruleostictus represents one of the commercially significant Sparidea fish; however, studies on its reproduction are scarce. Accordingly, histological examination of female and male gonads was carried out for the first time in Egypt with the aim of describing the main gonadal changes during the reproductive cycle. The frequency of the distribution of maturity stages revealed that male and female reproductive cycles are divided into five maturity stages. The GSI and egg diameter data together with the maturity distribution, explained that the P. caeruleostictus is a fractional spawner with extended spawning season (June-October). Sex ratio was found to be unbalanced, being in favor of the females (1 male: 1.4 female); both males and females have parallel size distributions, with males being predominant and larger sizes. The size at first maturity (L50) was 27 cm and 29 cm total length (TL) for female and male fish, respectively. Absolute fecundity for ripe and spawning females ranged from 84,954 to 362,295 eggs, while the mean relative fecundity was 4970.864 ± 2398 egg/cm and 189 ± 54.38 egg/g to the total length and total weight, respectively. Gonadal histology distinguished rudimentary hermaphroditism for 83% of the young females, with evidence of low proportion of protogynous sex reversal for larger sizes. Results from the current research work provide essential basic information for the future of P. caeruleostictus fishery management and aquaculture plans. Keywords: Pagrus caeruleostictus, Reproductive biology, Gonadal histology, Hermaphroditism, Mediterranean Sea

The biological marine system in the Mediterranean Sea off Alexandria, Egypt, was investigated to recognise its biodiversity and the relations among “ichthyofauna, invertebrates, and benthic” cover including biota and flora, as well as seabed bathymetry during 2017 using a multi-seasonal surveys by the commercial bottom trawler. Moreover, zooplanktonic community from the water column was also collected to support the picture of the biodiversity in the investigated area. The identified species were 94 fishes, 64 invertebrates, 6 benthic flora, and 304 zooplanktonic species. The ichthyofauna included 5 Chondrichthyes species (5.3% of the fish species), while Osteichthyes fishes were 89 species (94.7%) belonging to 48 families and 72 genera. The most abundant family was Sparidae (13 species). The highest abundance of fishes occurred in the summer (68 fish species 72.34%), while the lowest abundance occurred in the spring (49 species, 52.13%). Regarding the demersal and benthic biota, the most abundant phylum was Mollusca (31 species) and represented by three classes (Bivalvia, Cephalopoda, and Gastropoda). Gastropoda was the most abundant class (18 species), while the lowest Phyla was Chordata (1 species of Ascidians) and Annelida (1 species). The number of lessepsian fish species were 17 (18.1%) of the total number of species caught by the bottom trawl net. In addition, this work provided new records Aulopareia unicolor (F): Gobiidae) for the area for first time and considered the second time in Egypt. The benthic flora was represented by 6 species belonging to three phyla (Tracheophyta, Chlorophyta, and Rhodophyta). Sea grasses were represented by three species (Posidonia oceanica, Cymodocea nodosa, and Halophila stipulacea). The highest abundance of benthic species occurred in the summer (53 species with 75.7%), while the lowest one was in autumn (27 species, 38.6%). Geologically, the fishing ground constituted of hard rocks to very fine silt. The eastern part of the study area includes terrigenous Nile sediment origin, while the western side has biocalcareous sediment with shell fragments richness, coastal limestone ridges origin. The continental shelf, which runs along the study area, is portrayed by a 200-m contour line. In the water column, zooplanktonic community was represented by 304 taxa, belonging to 12 phyla, 6 phyla (Arthropoda, Tintinnida, Chordata “fish eggs and larvae”, Cnidaria, Foraminifera, and Radiozoa) were dominant. Copepods were the dominant group (71.59%); its annual average abundance was 1271 ind./m3. Its most diversified season was the winter (175 No/m3.) and its average abundance was 1892.9 ind./m3. However, in spring, 118 species were recorded presenting the highest average abundance (2419.4 ind./m3). The lowest diversified season was summer (85 organisms) with density of 1150 ind./m3. The present work offers updated data regarding the marine biodiversity in Egypt, enriches the gaps in the bibliography in the Eastern Mediterranean, and gives preliminary list of species and biodiversity of bottom trawl combined with the interaction with other biosystems and features of fishing ground. These data could be used to monitor evaluate the impact of bottom trawl on the fisheries habitats and changing in ecosystems. Also, it could be used as constructive step to manage or protect such area in combination with other. It is recommended to fulfil the need for more and detailed studies in all areas by different gears to cover the gaps in marine biodiversity data.

This work sheds light on deep sea resources that update the list of deep sea ichthyoids fauna with new records from the Egyptian coast, Mediterranean Sea. Fish samples were collected from April to November 2015 at depths of 350–750 m using deep red shrimp bottom trawlers. The presented fauna were constituted mainly of deep red shrimp ( Aristeomorpha folicea and Aristeus antennatus ) as target species followed by by-catch and discards which were represented by 36 fish species; Of them, 21 species were recorded previously. The rest of the species, were new ichthyofauna identified in fifteen species including 4 cartilaginous species ( Centrophorus uyato , Etmopterus spinax , Hydrolagus mirabilis and Chimaera monstrosa ), while the other 11 species were bony fishes ( Chauliodus sloani , Diaphus metopoclampus , Sudis hyaline , Microstoma microstoma , Chlorophthalmus agassizi , Avocettina infans , Argyropelecus hemigymnus , Notacanthus bonaparte , Lampanyctus crocodilus , Centrolophus niger and Nettastoma melanurum ). Centrophorus uyato was reported for the first time in the Levant Basin . The present findings added new species to the Egyptian ichthyofauna and raised the total known deep water fauna to 38 species, enhancing knowledge about such species requires continuous monitoring and studies on deep sea resources.

Phylogenetic comparison for lessepsian puffer fish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) from the Egyptian waters (Mediterranean and Red Seas) was performed using morphological and genetic characteristics to confirm its identification and to recognize any variations due to differences in both habitats. A similar identity in body description from both habitats was observed. Slight phenotyping variations in some morphological measurements were observed with no significant difference. The correlation between the reference length and most of morphological indices was similar (0.99) for both habitats. Molecular phylogeny, using two primers (16S rRNA and Cytochrome b) showed similar size bands at 600 bp and 400 bp ladders for both primers respectively in both habitats. The obtained sequences were aligned showing an identity (more than 99%) to the published sequences of L. sceleratus indicating high genetic resemblance. So, the present populations from both habitats don’t appear to be separated species, indicating no obvious genetic variations after its migration into new habitat, expecting that, genetic differentiation may occur very slowly. This supported the idea that both morphological and genetic characteristics are recommended to be used together in identification and phylogenetic relations of the population from two habitats. The specific primers 16S rRNA and Cyt b showed confirmable tools to support the same target where the environmental variations may alter phenotypic variations.

This work documents strandings and sightings of vulnerable marine mammals on the Egyptian Coast of the Mediterranean Sea, with an emphasis on 2013 to 2018 as well as previous non documented strandings observed by other persons. Marine mammal cases were described and identified to six species: the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus Linnaeus, 1758), the sperm whale (Physeter microcephalus), Gervais’ beaked whale Mesoplodon europaeus (Gervais, 1855), the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncates), the rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) that which was stranded on the Gamasa coast and was not completely confirmed. The sixth species was California sea lion (Zalophus californianus Lesson, 1828) which was reported for the first time. Moreover, the monk seal (Monachus monachus) was also reported here but has not been observed by the authors; this observation increases the reported species on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt into seven species. The first five species are cetaceans including a baleen whale (Mysticeti) for first whale and toothed species (Odontoceti) for the remaining four species, while the last two ones belong to Pinnipeds (sea lion and monk seal). Most of the observed cases were strandings, while the sea lion was sighted alive. The sea lion is not endemic for Mediterranean sea and its presence may be an accidental or may escape from aquarium. There were also few other records of dead delphinid carcasses that were in a highly decomposed state and could not be identified. In conclusion, this work is important issue in term of documenting marine mammals in the Egyptian Mediterranean water and indicates that the coast has increasingly become a visiting area for many marine mammals, with a concomitant increase in stranding's. These observations reflect their vulnerability due to anthropogenic activities such as fishing operations, shipping, and seismic activities. Moreover, the Egyptian coast has shallower and wider continental shelf in the Nile Delta region which may increase the probability of marine mammals' visitors stranding's, particularly a mong species that inhabit deep water. The repeated sightings of these species may be due to climatic changes that affect their migration and mobility from one place to another. Stakeholders should pay more attention to marine mammals in Egypt through increased awareness and the continuous monitoring, documentation and mapping of recorded strandings to further suggest measures on how to protect these important and vulnerable species.

The present work aimed to study the reproductive strategy of the common lessepsian puffer fish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1879) from the Egyptian Mediterranean Waters. It is a famous migratory species plays an important role in the field of fisheries and ecology of aquatic ecosystem. The specimens were collected monthly from the landing centers along the Egyptian Mediterranean coast during 2012. Six maturity stages were recorded: (I) Thread like stage, (II) Immature stage (Virgin stage), (III) Maturing stage (Developing Virgin and recovering spent), (IV) Nearly ripe stage, (V) Fully ripe, (VI) Spawning stage, (VII) Spent stage. According to sex ratio, males exhibited higher number than females representing 52.44 % of the total fishes with sex ratio 1: 0.91. Fish length corresponding to 50% maturation was 38.5 cm for males and 41 cm for females. The corresponding ages (age at first maturity) are equal to 2.14 and 2.27 years for male and female respectively. The ova diameter ranged from 0.02mm to 0.85mm, the mature ova ranged from 0.16mm to 0.85mm and showed progressive increase from April towards September. Also, the presences of ova diameter in one peak of mature and ripe eggs in the ovaries were observed during spawning period. The relationship between gutted weight and absolute fecundity indicated that that fecundity increased as the fish grew in weight. The absolute fecundity ranged from 260288 to 2372931 for fish weight ranged from 698 to 3285 cm with an average of 1449522±720975. The relative fecundity ranged from 373 to 722 for fish weight ranged from 698 to 3285 cm with an average of 776±231. The spawning season of L. sceleratus was investigated from the data of gonado-somatic index and monthly distribution of maturity stages along the year as well as sequence of ova diameter for mature stages and exhibited a relatively prolong spawning season extending from April for both sexes and ends in August for male while ends in September for female. Fish releases its ripe ova in one batch during the spawning season. Histologically, the ovarian cycle of L. sceleratus was classified into six stages and the testicular cycle into five stages. Histological characters of gonads of L. sceleratus during the year of study had confirmed the previous results of distribution of maturity stages, gonado-somatic index and ova diameter, indicating this fish species has prolonged spawning season from April to September. This species is considered totally or uni spawner with synchronous group as it contained one to two developmental stages at the same gonad.

Maturity stages of round herring Etrumeus teres were divided anatomically into six stages. Monthly distribution of such maturity stages showed that E. teres had prolonged spawning season extended from December to May for females and to July for males. The observed sex ratio was 1 : 2 (male: female). Gonadosomatic index (GSI) values were high during breeding season for both sexes. Hepatosomatic index (HIS) values for females increased from December to April and from December to July for males. Both sexes of E. teres showed the same correlation between GSI and HSI during their breeding season. The absolute and relative fecundity increased with increasing of length and weight. Histologically, the ovarian cycle of E. teres was classified into six stages and the testicular cycle into five stages. Female of E. teres was a multiple spawner and had prolonged spawning season with a group-synchronous ovarian which contained oocytes at all stages of development. Also, different sizes of spermatocytes at different developmental stages of maturation were observed during the same season. This may reflect the suitability of the specific reproductive behavior of male and its adaptation to the prolonged spawning season with females.

Stock of pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus was evaluated using specimens that collected monthly from the commercial fishing boats at landing sites along whole the Egyptian Mediterranean coast during 2012. Specimens were ranged from 5 to 83cm (TL) in length with an average 43.01± 13.5cm and total weight from 2.1-5400g with an average of 1103.27±850.83 g. The length-weight relationship revealed negative allometric growth for males, females and combined sexes with insignificant difference between males and females at (P > 0. 05). The highest condition factor (1. 13) was recorded for immature/smaller fishes while the lowest value 0. 86 was recorded for largest female individual. Age determination by two methods (length frequency analysis and vertebrae) revealed seven years old with no significance difference between mean lengths at age of two methods at (P > 0. 05). Von Bertalanffy growth parameters for combined sexes of length frequency were L∞ = 106.34 cm, K = 0.17 year-1 and to = 0.0228 year-1, while they were L∞ = 101.63cm and K = 0.189 year-1 and to = 0.1186 for vertebrae data. By using data of length frequency, the population parameters were, total mortality (Z=1. 01 year-1), natural mortality (M= 0. 347 year-1), fishing mortality (F= 0. 663 year) and exploitation ratio (E= 0. 657). The length at first capture (Lc) was 32. 34cm, while length at recruitment (Lr) was 25. 95cm. Yield per recruit (Y/R) at current parameters was 447.26g. The maximum sustainable yield per recruit (MSY) was 467. 42g, at fishing mortality (FMSY) 0.403 year-1 Which is lower than current fishing mortality. The (Y/R) at the biological reference points (F0. 1 & Fmax) were 423.72 g and 467.42g respectively. The fishing mortalities at these points were 0. 203 year-1 and 0. 403 year-1 for F0. 1 and Fmax respectively giving lower values than current fishing mortality reflecting over-exploitation status. Inspite of, the fishing of pufferfish is prohibited by the Egyptian law, its stock in the eastern Mediterranean is overexploited but still growing well and the younger individuals are in good condition reflecting a good adaptation in new habitat, and explain the illegal trade of this species in different markets. The over exploitation suggests reduce it or Y/R to level of F0. 1 for the point of conservation regardless its poisonous effect. The importance of present data of such species could emphasis the need of special management plan for conserve and better use of economically valuable fishery resources.

Catch and effort (CPUE) of the purse-seine using light, age and growth of lessepsian fish “ Etrumeus teres ” from the Egyptian Mediterranean waters were studied in the period 2008. It was found that, the average annual catch (CPUE) was 1.7 (ton/boat/night). The catch diversity was composed of seventeen different species. Clupeids were the dominant 74.1% of the total catch. Seven lessepsian species were involved and constituted 41.18% and 19.01% of the total number and weight of the catch, respectively. Round herring E. teres was the highest one of these immigrants, accounting for 10.93% of the total catch; it exhibited the highest average values of the catch during winter and autumn (19.7% and 19.2%, respectively). The exponent “b” of length-weight was 3.052 revealing positive allometric mode of growth. The length range was 9–25 cm for combined sexes with an average of 17.22 ± 3.29 cm while the smallest lengths were recorded during the summer season. The highest condition factor ( k ) was recorded in July, while the lowest one was in February, this factor increased with the increase in fish length. Round herring, E. teres reached to five years that was determined by otolith. Growth parameters; L ∞ were 31.71, 29.058 and 30.26 cm for males, females and combined sexes, respectively. Growth coefficients ( K ) were 0.214, 0.246 and 0.225 year −1 for males, females and combined sexes, respectively; values of t o were −0.776, −0.686 and −0.744 year −1 for males, females and combined sexes. Growth performance indexes ( O ) were 2.33, 2.31 and 2.31 for males, females and combined sexes, respectively. This study reflected the importance of such fishing gear in the Egyptian marine fisheries. Round herring “ E. teres ” as lessepsian species is predicted to be of economic value in the marine fisheries and give the positive impact of the lessepsian migration. The age of E. teres was five age groups that were higher than those from the Red Sea reflecting the good establishment of such immigrants in the new habitat. This may be ascribed to the environmental variations between different localities and due to the low exploitation rate of such new immigrant species in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters.

Priacanthus sagittarius and P. arenatus are the only two priacanthid species recorded from the Mediterranean Sea. The Arrow Bulleye Priacanthus sagittarius is reported for the first time from Egyptian waters of the Mediterranean Sea. On 19 May 2015, a single juvenile specimen (129 mm total length) of P. sagittarius was captured at a depth of 35 m in a trawl in the waters around Alexandria, on the north coast of Egypt. The current specimen represents the first record of the lessepsian P. sagittarius from Egyptian waters and the third from the Mediterranean Sea.