Malca E, Barimo JF, Serafy JE, Walsh PJ. Age and growth of the gulf toadfish Opsanus beta based on otolith increment analysis.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2009;
75:1750-1761. [PMID:
20738646 DOI:
10.1111/j.1095-8649.2009.02426.x]
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Abstract
In the present study, sagittal otoliths of confirmed male and female specimens of the gulf toadfish Opsanus beta that were collected monthly over the course of a year from Biscayne Bay, Florida, U.S.A. were analysed. The timing and frequency of O. beta spawning seasons are reported by examination of the gonado-somatic index. The estimated ages of males and females ranged from <1 year to 6 and 5 years, respectively. Strong sexual dimorphism in growth was apparent with von Bertalanffy parameter estimates for males of Linfinity=393.8 mm, K=0.30, t0=0.36 and females of Linfinity=201.1 mm, K=0.79, t0=0.47. Comparison with previously published growth trajectories of the more northerly distributed conspecific Opsanus tau showed that O. beta males had a higher growth rate. Female O. beta and O. tau growth trajectories appear similar, with an indication that the former becomes asymptotic at least a year before the latter. Results are discussed in the context of temperature regimes, reproductive energy allocation and waste urea excretion in the two species.
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