Age, Growth and Reproduction of Silvery Pout (Gadiculus argenteus Guichenot, 1850) in the Saros Bay (Northeastern Aegean Sea)

The age, growth and reproduction of Silvery Pout (Gadiculus argenteus), caught in the Bay of Saros (Northeastern Aegean Sea) between April 2005 and September 2008, were investigated. The total length and weight of the G. argenteus ranged from 5.5 cm to 16.8 cm in total length (TL) and from 1.6 g to 30.7 g in weight. The length-weight relationships were estimated W = 0.011*TL2.924.Age data derived from otoliths readings were used to estimate the growth parameters of the von Bertalanffy equation. The population growth parameters for G. argenteus were estimated as L-infinity = 14.97 cm, K = 0.28 year(-1) and t(0) = -1.69 year. The maximum age was 5 years. The data on maturity stages indicated that length at 50% maturity (L-50) were 8.94 cm TL for G. argenteus. Monthly values of the gonadosomatic index indicated that reproduction period of G. argenteus was determined between December and March.