Life-history transitions of the coral-reef fish Elacatinus lori

The purpose of this study was to investigate the life-history transitions of the line snout goby Elacatinus lori, a coral-reef fish endemic to Belize. Specifically, this study aimed to: (1) quantify the length of pelagic larval duration (PLD) and standard length (L_S ) at settlement, (2) determine the age and L_S at sexual maturity and (3) if applicable, determine the age, L_S and direction of sex change. Otolith analysis was used to determine PLD, age and L_S at settlement, while gonad histology and morphological data were used to determine age and L_S at maturity. It was found that: (1) estimates of PLD ranged from 18·8 to 24·8 days, with a mean ± s.d. of 20·9 ± 1·3 days, and estimated L_S at settlement ranged from 7·4 to 9·4 mm, with a mean ± s.d. of 8·1 ± 1·7 mm, (2) estimates of L_S at which 50% of females and males are mature were 31·1 and 32·4 mm, which represents 65·4 and 55·3% of their maximum L_S, respectively and (3) that there was no evidence of sex change: E. lori is probably gonochoristic. This study provides the first comprehensive description of these life-history transitions for a species within the genus Elacatinus, the most speciose genus of fishes on Caribbean coral reefs.