Water depth ranges from 20 to 160 m. Spawning activity peaks in October through December (Ref. 27353). In Northern Territory waters, spawning is more or less continuous over the year (Ref. 6390).
Spawning in lutjanids is sometimes timed to coincide with spring tides and it usually takes place at night (Ref. 28009, 5456), near open water (Ref. 28009). On the Great Barrier Reef however, 'redfish' (a common term for red sea perch) spawn throughout the full lunar cycle, over both spring and neap tides (Ref. 5456).
Sea perch in general are highly fecund, broadcast spawners (Ref. 28009). Fecundity increases with size increase in the females (Ref. 5456). Large females can produce at least 5-7 million eggs per season (Ref. 28009). Ovary GSI's reached a peak during late spring and early summer months (Ref. 5456). |