The Validation of Different Growth Models of Randall's Threadfin Bream, Nemipterus randalli (Russell, 1986), in Northeastern Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the age and the growth of the Lessepsian migrant Randall's threadfin bream, Nemipterus randalli (Russell, 1986). A total of 587 samples were collected from the eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey between February 2012 and January 2013. Total length and total weight ranged from 7.7 to 21.0 cm and from 6.90 and 150.99 g, respectively. Length-weight relationship parameters were calculated for all individuals as a= 0.0106 and b= 3.09, and isometric growth was determined. The population constituted five age-classes (0-IV years). Four growth models used to identify the growth characteristics were von Bertalanffy, Logistic, Richards, and Gompertz growth models. Growth type of Randall's threadfin bream has rapid property; hence the fish population may be continued increasing in the Iskenderun Bay and other of Eastern Mediterranean regions.