During a survey of demersal fishes of the southern Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia off Jizan, 98 species were collected by trawling. Five of these represent new records for the Red Sea: Saurida longimanus, Dactyloptena gilberti, Jaydia novaeguineae, Pomadasys maculatus and Parapercis maculata. Additionally a specimen of the rare moray Gymnothorax reticularis, previously known from only three specimens, was collected. Records of two species, Parastromateus niger and Pseudorhombus arsius, that formerly were considered questionable, are confirmed by collection of new voucher specimens. Validity of Laeops sinusarabici is confirmed. This study documents parts of the diversity of the demersal fish communities on sandy areas of the southern Red Sea, but also emphasizes that a large proportion of this area has not been explored.

Fish represent an excellent source of animal protein as well as a biomedical research model as a result of their evolutionary relatedness and similarity with the human genome. Commercial and ornamental fish culture has achieved popularity, but reproductive dysfunctions act as a limiting factor for quality fry production, interfering with the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. Fish reproduction is crucial for any species’ existence, and reproductive performance can potentially be improved through applications of epigenetics and probiotics. Epigenetics is a highly sensitive molecular approach that includes chromatin structure and function alteration, DNA methylation, and modification of non-coding RNA molecules for the transfer of desired information from parents to offspring. DNA methyltransferase improves reproductive cyp11a1, esr2b, and figla gene expression and feminizes zebrafish (Danio rerio). Moreover, epigenetics also contributes to genome stability, environmental plasticity, and embryonic development. However, methylation of specific genes can negatively affect sperm quality, resulting in poor fertilization. Probiotic administration is able to induce responsiveness of incompetent follicles to maturation-inducing hormones and can change oocyte chemical composition during vitellogenic development. The positive role of probiotics on testicular cells is validated by upregulating the transcription levels of leptin, bdnf, and dmrt1 genes facilitating the spermatogenesis. This review not only discusses the effects and mechanism of epigenetics and probiotics for improving fish reproduction, but also presents an overview of the causal factors and current techniques used to eradicate dysfunction. Moreover, key genes and hormones related to fish reproduction along with research gaps and future prospects are also considered. This review provides an overview of necessary information for students, scientists, researchers, and breeders to resolve fish reproduction-related problems to ensure profitable and sustainable aquaculture.

Capture production from Bardawil Lagoon was described and analyzed. Fish samples of Solea aegyptiaca were collected for growth study. Otoliths were extracted from each specimen and used for age determination. Back-calculated lengths-at-ages were estimated and used to determine growth rates in length and weight. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters; L∞, K and t0, were determined. Growth in length could be described by the von Bertalanffy growth equation “VBGE”: Lt=37.52 [1−e−0.42(t+0.4)]. The total mortality coefficient ‘Z’, the natural mortality coefficient ‘M’ and the fishing mortality coefficient ‘F’ were estimated to be 2.35, 0.63 and 1.72year−1, respectively. The current exploitation rate ‘Ecur’ was 0.73year−1. Beverton and Holt’s relative yield per recruit Model (1966) was used to estimate the relative yield and biomass per recruit of S. aegyptiaca in Bardawil Lagoon. The yield-based biological reference points Emax and E0.1 were determined and found to be 0.717year−1 and 0.62year−1, respectively. Results indicated that the stock of S. aegyptiaca in Bardawil Lagoon is currently over-exploited. The current exploitation rate should be decreased to the widely adopted target reference point, E0.1=0.62year−1 for sustainable fishery production of S. aegyptiaca in Bardawil Lagoon

The present study estimated the size-selectivity of Hipposcarus harid and Lethrinus harak caught in monofilament trammel nets of 50, 56, and 62mm inner-panel mesh sizes. Fishing was carried out in the coral reef fisheries of Jeddah during the period from June 2013 to March 2014. The selectivity parameters were calculated using the SELECT method implemented in Pasgear 2 software. The normal location, normal scale, log-normal, gamma and bi-modal selectivity models were fitted to the data to estimate the selectivity curves. Results indicated that the log-normal model provided the best fit based on the lowest deviance value. Modal lengths estimated from the log-normal selectivity curves are: 19.73, 22.10, and 24.46cm for H. harid, 18.41, 20.62, and 22.83cm for L. harak caught with 50, 56 and 62mm inner-panel mesh sizes, respectively. The length–girth relationship was estimated and described by the linear equation: G=0.480+0.70L (r2=0.95) for H. harid, and G=0.73L−0.65 (r2=0.96) for L. harak. For proper management of H. harid and L. harak, the minimum inner-panel mesh size should be 62mm to catch fish sizes larger than the length at maturity for both species