AGE AND GROWTH STUDIES OF PICARELS (SPICARA FLEXUOSA AND SPICARA SMARIS) IN THE EGYPTIAN MEDITERRANEAN WATERS

AGE AND GROWTH STUDIES OF PICARELS (SPICARA

FLEXUOSA AND SPICARA SMARIS) IN THE EGYPTIAN

MEDITERRANEAN WATERS

By
s. I. RIZKALLA*
*National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Kayet Bay Alexandria-Egypt
Key-words: Picarels, Spicara jIexuosa, Spicara smaris, Age Growth
ABSTRACT
Age and growth ofthe Egyptian Mediterranean picarels (S. flexuosa
and S. smaris) were examined by means of otolith readings. Both
species live only up to four years. The growth rate ofs. flexuosa from
age I to IVwas: 11.49,13.57,15.80 & 17.29 cm whereas/orS. smaris
11.30, 13.58, 15.67 & 16.83 cm respectively. A marked difference in the
calculated weights was observed between sexes of both species
indicating that males are much heavier than females. The estimated
values of von Bertalanffy parametersfor s. flexuosa (combined sexes)
were Loc = 27.51 cm, Woc = 228.48 g, K= 0.1524 & t =2.53 whereas o

for s. smaris: Loe = 20.78 cm, Woe = 77.60 g, K= 0.2968 & t =1.63.