An investigation on age, growth and biological characteristics of red mullet (Mullus barbatus ponticus, Essipov, ۱۹۲۷) in the Eastern Black Sea

This study was carried out during May ۲۰۱۰ – April ۲۰۱۱ in order to determine various biological properties of red mullet occurring in the Eastern Black Sea region. The average length and weight of ۱۴۳۵ specimens were determined as ۱۳.۱۳ cm and ۲۳.۱۴ g, respectively. Weight-length relationship was determined as W = ۰.۰۰۸۸ L۳.۰۳۳۸. The age distribution of this population ranged between I and VII. The female constituted of ۶۶.۲% whereas male ۳۳.۸%. Von Bertalanffy growth equation was , whereas for weight was . The GSI index reached its maximum value in June when relative fecundity was ۲۵۲۹.۶ eggs g-۱ body weight and the average egg size was ۳۶۰.۹ μm. The fecundity-total length and fecundity-weight relationships were calculated as F= ۰.۰۶۵۱ TL۵.۱۲۹۷ and F= ۳۳۸.۵W۱.۵۱۲۸ , respectively.

Keywords:

Red Mullet , Mullus barbatus ponticus , Age , Growth , Reproduction , Black Sea