Age, Growth, and Utility of Otolith Morphometrics as Predictors of Age in the European Barracuda, Sphyraena sphyraena (Sphyraenidae): Preliminary Data

Age and growth of the European barracuda, Sphyraena sphyraena, were determined by examining sagittal otoliths belonging to fish sampled in eastern Adriatic Sea, as northernmost region Mediterranean. A total 113 specimens (59 females, 53 males, one individual indeterminate sex), ranging from 23.4 42.5 cm length, analyzed. The maximum observed age was 5 years for both females this barracuda population dominated 3 year old fish. Growth described von Bertalanffy curve (L∞ = 55.58 cm, K 0.12 year−1, t0 −4.29 year, R2 0.580), performance index (Φ’) 2.57. Otolith width, mass measured, utility these morphometrics predictors S. sphyraena evaluated. results showed that counting otolith annuli produced a better estimation than proposed linear models based on relationships between morphometrics. In comparison with data available literature our Sea provide more insights into life-history traits species can be used future effective management conservation.