Age and Growth Based on the Scale Readings of the Two Carangid Species Carangoides bajad and Caranx melampygus from Shalateen Fishing Area, Red Sea, Egypt

S. Mohammad Et Al., Ashraf

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2022.230501

Age and Growth Based on the Scale Readings of the Two Carangid Species Carangoides bajad and Caranx melampygus from Shalateen Fishing Area, Red Sea, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Ashraf S. Mohammad et al.

10.21608/ejabf.2022.230501

Abstract

The study of the age and growth of fish is fundamental for understanding the general biology of the species and in particular its population dynamics. The age and growth of two Carangid species Carangoides bajad and Caranx melampygus from the Egyptian Red Sea, Shalateen region (Elba National Park) were studied based on the scale readings using a non-linear back-calculation method. A total of 1103 specimens (145–515 mm in SL) of C. bajad and 795 specimens (145–631 mm in SL) of C. melampygus were aged and their maximum life span was 8 and 12 years, respectively. The most dominant age group in the catch was age groups II (45.36%) for C. bajad, and age group 0for C. melampygus (21.6%). The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L∞ = 576.88 and 701.08 mm for C. bajad and C. melampygus respectively, while K = 0.24 and 0.17 year^-1 for the two species respectively. It was found that C. melampygus was heavier and characterized by a higher growth rate than C. bajad for the same length and age. These data are the inputs of the analytical models used to achieve the wise management of this potential fishery.

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