Length-Weight Relationships and Metric Characters of the European Pilchard, Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) (Teleostei: Clupeidae), Caught in Béni-Saf Bay, W-Mediterranean (Algeria)

The present study examined the morphometric characteristics of the European pilchard, Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) from Béni-Saf Bay (Algeria), to address the lack of data concerning the exploitation of their stocks in this area. A total of 306 specimens were examined, consisting of 49.35% males, 45.10% females, and 5.56% undetermined individuals. The overall sex ratio was 1.09, slightly favoring males (χ2 = 0,5848; P<0.05). Sixteen measurements were carried out for each specimen; the total length of the observed fish ranged from 6.4 to 22.7 cm. The length-weight relationship for S. pilchardus was determined using the regression equation Wt=aLt^b. The model parameters for the relationships (LWR) indicated a positive allometric growth for both sexes (t-test, P<0.05); the coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.97 for males and 0.99 for females, indicating a strong correlation between length and weight. The equations of the length-weight relationship were Wt = 0.0057*Lt^3.0981 for males and Wt = 0.0066*Lt^3.0602 for females. The results of the model parameters for the relationships Y=aLt^b indicate a strong correlation between all morphological measurements and total length. Regardless of sex, all parameters showed a lower growth allometry (negative allometry), with statistically significant results observed in both sexes (t-test, P<0.05). The present study demonstrated that male and female S. pilchardus from Béni-Saf Bay (Algeria) showed sexual dimorphism in favor of the females (F-test, P<0.05). Females fish have longer fin sizes than males and longer heads than males. Furthermore, females possess a longer upper jaw compared to males.