Biological parameters of the roudi escolar Promethichthys prometheus (Pisces: Gempylidae) off the Canary Islands

Abstract

Roudi escolar Promethichthys prometheus (N = 221) caught off the Canary Islands from August 1992 to July 1993 were studied. The total length ranged between 42.1 and 78.9 cm. The overall ratio between males and females was 1:1.48. The spawning period extended from April to August, with a peak in July. Fifty per cent maturity was reached at 51.1 cm total length. The length-weight relationship was described for all the individuals by the following parameters: a = 0.004509, and b = 2.9705. Fish aged 3–10 years were present in the samples. The parameters of the Von Bertalanffy growth equation were: L∞ = 84.32 cm, k = 0.20 year−1, and t0 = −0.51.