Age and Growth of Red Sea Goatfish, Parupeneus forsskali from Iskenderun Bay, Northeastern Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

The age composition and growth parameters of Red Sea goatfish, Parupeneus forsskali collected from Iskenderun Bay in the northeastern Mediterranean Sea were investigated. A total of 207 specimens ranging from 113 to 264 mm in total length were captured. The population was dominated by males (1.00 : 2.34). Age determination was conducted using the sagitta otoliths, ranged from 0 to 5 years. The age 3 was dominated in the population (71.73%). Value of b was higher than 3 for females (4.15), males (3.26) and combined sexes (3.53). The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated: L-infinity = 358.5 mm, k = 0.122 year (-1), t(0) = -3.90 year for females; L-infinity = 383.5 mm, k = 0.131 year (-1), t(0)= -3.25 year for males and L-infinity = 479.2 mm, k = 0.085 year (-1), t(0)= -3.88 year for combined sexes. The growth performance index (o) was calculated for females, males and combined sexes and found to be 2.19, 2.28 and 2.29, respectively. The maturity ogive (TL50) of P. forsskali was calculated as 189 mm for both sexes.