Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
2008, Vol 8, Num, 2 (Pages: 225-232)
Some Biological Aspects of the Sharpnose Mullet Liza saliens (Risso, 1810) in Gorgan Bay-Miankaleh Wildlife Refuge (the Southeast Caspian Sea)
Rahman Patimar 1
1 Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gonbad Institutes of Higher Education, Gonbad, Iran
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The present study investigated age, growth and reproduction of the sharpnose mullet L. saliens by regular monthly
collection throughout one year from April 2002 to March 2003 in Gorgan Bay (the southeast Caspian Sea). Based on scale
readings, the maximum ages of the population observed were 6+ years for males and 7+ years for females. Both sexes grew
allometrically (b=2.478 males; b=2.545 females) and rapidly during first year, achieving more than 40% of their growth. The
von Bertalanffy growth functions were Lt=30.415(1-e-0.275(t+0.645)) for males and Lt=34.832(1-e-0.211(t+1.009)) for females.
Monthly examination of condition factor showed that similar condition cycle is evident in both sexes, peaking in May (1.135
for males and 1.136 for females). Overall sex ratio was balanced, but males were predominant in smaller sizes, and females
in larger sizes. The GSI indicated that reproduction of sharpnose mullet in Gorgan Bay occurred around May-July, with the
highest average value of 1.996 for males and of 5.973 for females in June. Absolute fecundity varied from a minimum of
135014 for age 3+ to a maximum of 389790 eggs for age 7+. The absolute fecundity to fish size (length and weight) and age
were positively correlated.
Keywords :
Liza saliens, age and growth, reproduction, Gorgan Bay, Caspian Sea