Age, Growth and Reproduction of Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas 1814) (Perciformes: Gobiidae) in the Southern Black Sea

Abstract

Round goby (Neogobius melanostomus, Pallas 1814) which belongs to Gobiidae, inhabits in the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea, the Caspian Sea and the rivers that flows into fore stated seas. The main population parameters, such as age, length, sexual composition, length-weight relationship, growth, condition factor, gonadosomatic index and reproduction of N. melanostomus were investigated from coasts of the southern Black Sea in this study. A total of 2408 individuals were sampled between July 2017 and June 2018. Results showed that average length and weight were found 14.97 cm (10.50-26.20) and 43.90 g (15.28-212.2), respectively. Sex ratio between female and male was found 1:1.77 (P>0.05). Age of samples varied between one and eight years old. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were calculated as L_∞ = 26.5 cm, k = 0.1980 year^-1 and t₀ = -1.3487 year for all individuals. The length-weight relationship was found as W = 0.0069 TL^3.1972 for all individuals. Total mortality, natural mortality, fishing mortality, growth performance index and condition factor were calculated as 0.625, 0.479, 0.145, 2.143, and 1.66, respectively. Spawning occurs between March and May and the maximum value of gonadosomatic index reached in April. Average relative fecundity was 318.88 number/g (124.8-958.9), while average diameter of eggs was found 2025.58 µm ± 262.86 (1112.0-2703.4). This study will contribute for information gap on the species as well as provide information source for future studies.

Keywords

• Round goby
• Age
• Growth
• Reproductive
• Fecundity
• Black Sea

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