Age and growth of Mullus surmuletus (L.) in Mostaganem coast, Northwest Algeria – JBES

Ali Kherraz, Amel Kherraz, Sofiane Benghali, Salim Mouffok, Zitouni Boutiba

Department of Marine Science and Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University of Mostaganem, Algeria

Laboratory Environmental Monitoring Network, Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University Of Oran, Algeria

Key words: Mullus surmuletus, Mostaganem, relationship, Von Bertalanffy.

Abstract

The age, growth, of Mullus surmuletus, caught in Mostaganem (Northwest Algerian Sea) between January and December 2009, were investigated. Sex ratio female to male was 1:1.60. The total length of females ranged from 12.5 cm to 23 cm and of males from 12.3 cm to 22.5 cm. The length-mass relationship for all individuals can be described by the parameters a =0.009 and b = 2.934. Fish aged 0-7 years were present in the samples. Mullus surmuletus The parameters of the Von Bertalanffy growth equation obtained for females were L∞= 24.70 cm, k = 0.37 cm / year, and t0 = – 0.37 year. For males L∞= 25.52 cm, k = 0.32 cm / year, t0 = – 0.71 year. Significant differences were found in the growth parameters between males and females.