Age and growth analysis of spotted seatrout from Galveston Bay, Texas

Date

1987

Authors

Maceina MJ
Hata DN
Linton TL
Landry A Jr

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Age and growth were estimated from sectioned otoliths for 426 spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus collected from Galveston Bay, Texas, between October 1981 and September 1982. Marginal increment measurements showed that a single annulus formed on the otoliths during March and April. Annulus counts made by two independent readers agreed completely, suggesting that age interpretation from sectioned otoliths was precise. After age 1, back-calculated length-at-age estimates were much greater for females than males. Spotted seatrout from Galveston Bay generally grew faster than fish collected from other areas in the Gulf of Mexico. Gonadosomatic index values (gonad weight:body weight ratios) reflected a prolonged 6-month spawning period, which may have accounted for a four-fold difference in back-calculated lengths at age 1. The length advantage gained by larger individuals at age 1 was maintained as they grew older

Description

54-59

Keywords

age, age groups, analysis, ASW,Galveston Bay, Cynoscion nebulosus, D 04668 Fish, fish, Galveston Bay, growth, growth curves, Gulf of Mexico, measurement, O 5020 FISHERIES,FISHERY BIOLOGY,FISHING, otolith reading, Q1 01424 Age and growth, spawning, Spotted seatrout, Texas, USA, USA,Texas,Galveston Bay

Citation