Age and growth of the flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus ) in the coastal water of Yeosu

Abstract

The age and growth of flathead grey mullet , Mugil cephalus , were studied using samples collected from the coastal water of Yeosu from September 2009 to August 2010. Spawning season estimated from the gonadosometic index (GSI ) was from November to January . A method for increasing the readability of the otolith was described and criteria for the interpretation of otolith was provided . The annual ring was formed in September once a year . Annual ring in otolith for flathead grey mullet is validated for fish aged 1-8 using the marginal increment analysis . Using the sectioned otolith , between reader precision was 84%. Also , Within -reader agreement for sectioned otolith age readings was higher (reader 1〓84%, reader 2〓87%). The relationship between fork length and total weight was TW 〓0.022 FL 2.818 . The estimated von Bertalanffy growth parameters for the flathead grey mullet were L∞〓67.97 cm K〓0.164/ year and to〓－ 0.81 year .