Observation on the age, growth and somatic condition of Carasobarbus luteus (Heckel, 1843) and Capoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843) (Cyprinidae) in the Tigris River, Turkey

This study was carried out to determine some biological characteristics including age, growth and somatic condition of Carasobarbus luteus and Capoeta trutta in the Turkish part of the Tigris River. The examined samples of C. luteus were distributed between II-IX years of age. The length-weigth relations of females and males were calculated as Log W =-4.7314 +3.0113 Log FL and Log W = -4.7631 +3.0263 Log FL respectively.  Von Bertalanffy growth equations were estimated as Lt=40.09 [1-e-0.087036 (t+1.55004)] for females and Lt=38.14 [1-e-0.080056 (t+2.34838)] for males. The somatic condition was 1.9667 ± 0.1751 for females and 1.9967 ± 0.4205 for males. The observed samples of C. trutta were distributed between I-VI years of age. The length-weigth relationship of females and males were calculated as Log W = -4.6845 + 2.9303 Log FL, Log W = -4.7784 + 2.9746 Log FL, respectively. Von Bertalanffy growth equations were estimated as Lt=35.36 [1-e-0.082817 (t+4.82738)] for females and Lt=28.82 [1-e-0.12380 (t+4.40235)] for males. The somatic condition in female and male individuals were determined as; 1.4434 ± 0.1682 and 1.4722 ± 0.1984 respectively. Both species are economic fish in the Tigris River. Biological characteristics of the species determined in the present study, may contribute to a better understanding of the life cycle, thus providing useful data for its conservation and management.