Estimates of age and growth on the big eye Priacanthus macracanthus in the northeastern Taiwan waters

Abstract

Two length frequency data sets of the big eye, Priacanthus macracanthus, from the adjacent waters of Guei-Shan Island during the periods of 1981-1982 and 1997 were analyzed with MULTIFAN to estimate parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth equation. Age structures and growth parameters of the two periods were compared. Parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth equation for 1981-1982 data set were estimated as: asymptotic fork length L∞=42.5cm, growth coefficient K=0.151/yr and age at zero length t0=-0.790yr for females and L∞=43.8cm, K=0.122/yr and t0=-1.458yr for males. Five age classes were separated and dominant age classes were 3+, 4+, 2+ for both sexes. Parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth equation for 1997 data set were estimated as: L∞=46.8cm, K=0.118/yr and t0=-1.255yr. Six age classes were separated and dominant age classes were 3+, 4+. Significant difference on growth for the big eye was found between the two periods.