This study describes the developmental process of gonads in chameleon goby, Tridentiger trigonocephalus from the stage of hatching to 100 days after hatching (DAH). Based on histological observation, the primordial germ cells were observed in mesentery between mesonephric duct and gut at 15 DAH (total length, TL: 6.8±0.2 mm). At 20 DAH (TL: 7.9±0.1 mm), the primordial gonad began to protrude into peritoneal cavity and developed between mesonephric duct and gut. Initial ovarian differentiation was identified by the presence of ovarian cavity and oogonia in the gonads at 55 DAH (TL: 21.1±1.3 mm). Testicular differentiation started at 65 DAH (TL: 23.7±0.9 mm) with appearance of spermatogonial cells in the gonads. These findings indicate that sex differentiation in T. trigonocephalus occurs earlier in females than males, suggesting that this species can be classified as an undifferentiated gonochorist.

The objective of this study was to characterize the reproductive cycle of the chameleon goby, T. trigonocephalus. Gonadal development was investigated using a histological method. Specimens were collected monthly, from April 2009 to March 2010. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) of females began to increase in April, reaching the maximum in May, and declined sharply in August. In males, the GSI began to increase in April and reaching the maximum in July. The annual reproductive cycle of T. trigonocephalus can be divided into four successive stages in females: the growing (November- March), maturing (April-May), ripe and spawning (June-July), and recovery (August-October) stages. Males passed through growing (November-March), maturing (April-June), ripe and spermiation (July-August), and recovery (September-October) stages. These results indicate the spawning season is from June to July. The relationship between fecundity (Fc) and body length (BL) was Fc=86.1511BL2.6506. Fecundity was ranged from 3,448-9,654 eggs in a BL of 4.8-7.2 cm and it was increased as BL increased.