Snappers Reproductive Biology: An Ecological and Aquacultural Approach

Reproductive biology is fundamental for understanding fish population dynamics and for guiding fisheries management and aquaculture practices. Key reproductive and fishery-related variables such as catch size, age at maturity, spawning season, aggregation behavior, and the implementation of seasonal closures are critical to ensuring fish population sustainability. Snappers have been targeted for commercial aquaculture development due to their plasticity and ability to adapt to captive conditions. In Mexico, reproductive biology information on snappers remains fragmented and largely species-specific along both Pacific and Gulf coasts. This review reveals a lack of integrated perspective on snappers’ reproductive biology and identifies key knowledge gaps that may limit the development of effective conservation measures and aquaculture strategies. The absence of species-specific regulations for many snapper species along the Mexican Pacific coast reflects limited biological information and restricts the development of effective management policies. Increasing catch rates may indicate overexploitation, highlighting the need for targeted research to address existing information gaps and support effective conservation strategies for snapper populations. This review synthesizes available information on snapper reproductive biology and discusses how these traits can inform broodstock management, spawning control, and seed production in snappers from the Mexican coastal regions.