Age and growth of the alfonsino Beryx splendens Lowe, 1834 from the Macaronesian archipelagos

Abstract

Age and growth of the alfonsino Beryx splendens off the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores were studied based on otoliths readings. Otoliths are thin and show clear annual growth rings. Fish aged 1–9 years (18.2–38.9 cm fork length (FL)) were found in the Canary Islands, 0–12 years (15.2–41.0 cm FL) in Madeira, and 0–11 years (15.3–43.0 cm FL) in the Azores. No significant differences in the growth parameters were found between males and females. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters for all individuals were: L∞=44.51 cm FL, k=0.15 per year, and t0=−3.41 years in the Canary Islands; L∞=58.71 cm FL, k=0.06 per year, and t0=−5.71 years in Madeira; and L∞=43.10 cm FL, k=0.17 per year, and t0=−2.80 years in the Azores. Individuals grow fast during the first year of life, attaining approximately 50% of their maximum length; after the first year, the annual growth rate drops rapidly.