Age and growth of common pandora Pagellus erythrinus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pisces: Sparidae) off Gran Canaria (Canary Islands)

Abstract

Age and growth of common pandora Pagellus erythrinus (Linnaeus, 1758) caught off Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) were studied using the otoliths from 527 fish. The length range comprised 7.5-37.1 cm total length. The growth rings in the otolith cross sections were clear. Two rings, one opaque and one hyaline, are laid down each year on the otoliths. The opaque zone is formed from March to September, and the hyaline one during the remaining months of the year. Fish aged 0 to X years were present in the samples. The parameters of the Von Bertalanffy growth equation estimated for all the individuals were: L∞=41.8 cm, k=0.20 years-1 and to=-0.55 years