Growth and reproduction studies on gilhead seabream (Sparus aurata) in Beymelek Lagoon, Turkey

In the present study, age, growth, length-weight relationship and reproduction were investigated in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L., ۱۷۵۸) collected from Beymelek Lagoon (Antalya, Turkey) between February ۲۰۰۶ and July ۲۰۰۷. The age, total length and weight of samples ranged from ۰+ to ۴ years, ۱۰.۶ to ۳۵.۵cm, and ۱۸ to ۹۲۸g, respectively. Growth was described by the standard form of the von Bertalanffy growth equation and the estimated parameters were L¥ = ۴۴.۶cm, k = ۰.۳۹۴yr-۱ and t۰ = -۱.۳۳۱yr. Length-weight relationship was determined as W=۰.۰۱۷۴TL۲.۹۷۶۹ (R۲=۰.۹۶۵), and weight increased with size isometrically (b = ۲.۹۷۶۹) for all fish. Sex inversion occurred mainly at ۲۶ cm in total length and females reached sexual maturity at ۲۸.۵ cm. The spawning period was from December to February, while the gamete emission peaked in December.