Growth and reproduction of blotched picarel (Spicara maena Linnaeus, 1758) in the central Aegean Sea, Turkey

Abstract: Growth and reproduction of the blotched picarel, Spicara maena (Linnaeus, 1758), were determined based on specimens (n = 2547) collected from the central Aegean Sea between July 2004 and June 2007. The samples consisted of 71.9 % females, 16.2 % males, and 11.9 % immature individuals. The sex ratio of females to males was 1:0.23. The length-weight relationship was W = 0.011L3.02, W = 0.011L3.00, and W = 0.011L2.99 for the combined sexes, females, and males, respectively. For all samples and both sexes the length-weight relationship showed isometric growth. The von Bertalanffy growth equation was fitted on the basis of mean length-at-age data, resulting in parameter values of L ∞ = 21.99 cm, k = 0.255 year-1, and to =-1.165 year, and weight at infinity (W∞) was calculated as 123.35 g. Length at first maturity was 8.1 cm in males and 8.5 cm in females. On the other hand, first reproduction length was 11.51 cm and 13.12 cm for females and males, respectively, both corresponding to 2 years of age. It was observed that spawning occurred between March and June