Abstract

The biology of the tub gurnard, Chelidonichthys lucerna (Linnaeus, 1758), has been studied based on data collected between August (2009) and July (2010) from the Egyptian Mediterranean water in front of Alexandria. A total of 873 specimens ranged between 10.6 and 28.2 cm TL and from 10.2 to 232.5 g total weight, were sampled. The age, growth, length-weight relationship, sex ratio, length and age at first sexual maturity and reproduction period were estimated. Total lengths of males ranged from 12.6 to 23.2 cm and of females from 11.8 to 28.2 cm. The maximum age observed was 4and 5 years for males and females respectively. Length-weight relationships for males and females were estimated as W = 0.0043*L^3.2644 and W = 0.0042*L^3.2651, respectively indicating an allometric growth. Thevon Bertalanffy growth equations were L_t = 29.77(1-e-0.274(t+1.36)) and L_t = 32.36(1-e^{-0.255(t+1.09)}) for males and females respectively. The growth performance index value (ΦL) was computed as 2.39 for males and 2.44 for females. Length at first sexual maturity was 15 cm (1.21 years) in males and 15.2 cm (1.40 years) in females. The male: femaleratio was 1:1.67. The Gonado-Somatic Index (GSI) values indicated that the spawning season starts from November to February with a peak in January for both sexes.

Keywords:

Alexandria, Chelidonichthys lucerna, gurnard, growth, reproduction,

References

1. Altun, A., M.Z.L. Gokksu, C. Tureli and U. Erdem, 1997. Yumurtalik (Adana) KorfezindekiDilBaligi (Soleavulgris (Quensel, 1806)) VeKirlangic,Baligi (Triglalucerna, Linnaeus, 1758) Turlerini Bazi Biyolojik Ozellikleri. XIII. UlisalBiyolojiKongresi Istanbul, 5: 147-158.
   
2. Abdallah, M., 2002.Length-weight relationship of fishes caught by trawl off Alexandria, Egypt. ICLARM Quart., 25(1).
   
3. Ahmed, A.I., 2012. Reproductive biology of the tub gurnard Trigla lucerne (Linnaeus, 1978), in the Libyan eastern coast of Mediterranean Sea. Egypt. J. Aquat. Biol. Fish, 16(1): 95-104.
   
4. Banaruscu, P., 1964. Pisces: Osteichthyes. Fauna Republicii Populare Rom, Bucuresti, 13: 402.
   
5. Baron, J., 1985. Les Triglides (Teleosteens, Scorpaeniformes) de la Baie de Douarnenez. I. La croissance de: Eutriglagurnardus, Triglalucerna, TrigloporuslastovizaAspitriglacuculus. Cybium, 9: 127-144.
   
6. Ben Othmen, S., 1973. Le Sudtunisien (golfe de Gabe` s): hydrologie, se´dimentologie, flore et faune. Thèse de 3e cycle, Biologie marine. Fac. Sci. Tunis, pp: 166.
   
7. Bingel, F., E. O¨ Zsoy and U.U¨ nlu¨ ata, 1993. Review of the state of the fisheries and the environment of the Northeastern Mediterranean (Northern Levantine Basin). Studies and Reviews. General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean. No. 65, Rome, FAO, pp: 74.
   
8. Booth, A.J., 1997. On the life history of lesser gurnard (Scorpaeniformes: Triglidae) inhabiting the Agulhas bank, South Africa. J. Fish Biol., 51: 1155-1173.
   CrossRef    
9. Boudaya, L., L. Neifar, P. Rizzo, C. Badalucco, A. Bouain and F. Fiorentino, 2008. Growth and reproduction of Chelidonichthys lucerne (Linnaeus) (Pisces: Triglidae) in the Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia. J. Appl. Ichthyol., 24: 581-588.
   CrossRef    
10. Cicek, E., D. Avsar, C.E. Ozyurt, H. Yelden and M. Manasirli, 2008. Age, growth, reproduction and mortality of tub gurnard (Chelidonechthys lucerne) ihabiting in Babadillimani Bight (Northeastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey). J. Bio. Sci., 8(1): 155-160.
    
11. Collignon, J.C., 1968. Les Trigles des eauxmarrocaines (Ie`re note), Generalite´ s: L_espe`ceTriglahirudo. Bull. Ist. Peˆches Mart. Maroc., 16: 3-13.
    
12. Colloca, F., 1999. Triglalucerna. In: Relini, G., J. Bertrand and A. Zamboni (Eds.), Synthesis of the knowledge on bottom fishery resources in Central Mediterranean. Biol. Mar. Medit (Italy and Corsica) 6 (suppl. 1): 470-474.
    
13. Colloca, F., G.D. Ardizzone and M.F. Gravina, 1994. Trophic ecology of gurnards (Pisces: Triglidae) in the Central Mediterranean Sea. Mar. Life, 32: 21-32.
    
14. Elder, R.D., 1976.Studies on age, growth, reproduction and population dynamics of red gurnard, ChelidonichthysKumu, in the Hauraki Gulf. N. Z. Fish. Res. Bull., 12: 1-77.
    
15. Eryilmaz, L. and N. Meric, 2005. Some bioligical characteristics of the tub gurnard, Chelidonichthyslucerna (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Sea of Marmara. Turk. J. Vet Anim. Sci., 29: 367-374.
    
16. Faltas, S.N., 1996. Food and feeding habits of gurnards: Triglalucerna L. 1758 and Trigloporuslastoviza B. 1768 in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters. Bull. Natl. Inst. Oceanogr. Fish (Egypt), 22: 167-179.
    
17. Faltas, S.N. and M. Abdallah, 1997.Growth, mortality and relative yield per recruit of tow triglid species from Egyptian Mediterranean, off Alexandria. Bull. Natl. Inst. Oceanogr. Fish (Egypt), 23: 473-484.
    
18. Froglia, G., 1976. Osservazionisull_ alimentaci onedeigiovani di Triglalucernadellaclasse di eta 0 nelmedioAdriatico (Pisces: Triglidae). Arch. Oceanog. Lim. 3: 365-373.
    
19. Ford, E., 1933. An account of the herring investigations conducted and plymouth during the years from 1924 to 1933. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K., 19: 305-384.
    CrossRef    
20. Gulalnd, J.A., 1969. Manual of methods for fish stock assessment. Part (1). Fish population analysis. FAO Man. Fish Sci., 4: 154.
    
21. Hecht, T., 1977. Contributions to the biology of the cape gurnard, Triglacapensis (Pisces: Triglidae): Age, growth and reproduction. Zool. Afri. 12: 373-382.
    CrossRef    
22. Helfman, G.S., 1978. Patterns of community structure in fishes: Summary and overview. Environ. Biol. Fish, 3: 129-148.
    CrossRef    
23. Ismen, A. and P. Ismen, 2004. Age, growth and reproduction of tub gurnard (Chelidonichthyslucerna L. 1758) in the Bay of Iskenderun in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci., 28: 289-295.
    
24. Kartas, F. and J.P. Quignard, 1984. La fe´condite´ des poissonste´ le´oste´ - ens. Collection de biologie des milieuxmarins. Masson (5 edis.), Paris, pp: 121.
    
25. Kashiwagi, M., H. Sakaki, T. Taka hashi and T. Iwai, 1987. A relationship between egg size and hatching rate in Japanese whiting Sillago joponica. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi, 53(12): 2105-2110.
    CrossRef    
26. Lewis, T.C. and R.Z. Yerger, 1976. Biology of 5 species of searobins (Triglidae) from the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Fish Bull., 74: 93-103.
    
27. Matarrese, A., G.D. Onghia, L. Sion and M. Panza, 1994. Distribution of triglids in the Ionian Sea. Biol. Mar. Mediterr., 1: 331-332.
    
28. McEachran, J.D. and J. Davis, 1970. Age and growth of the striped searobin. Trans. Am. Fish Soc., 99: 343-352.
    CrossRef    
29. Morte, M.S., M.J. Redon and A. Sanz-Brau, 1997. Trophic relationships between two gurnards Triglalucerna and Aspitriglaobscura from the western Mediterranean. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. UK, 77: 527-537.
    CrossRef    
30. Mouneimne, N., 1971. Les Triglidae de la mer Catalane. Distribution, croissancet reproduction de Triglalyra, Aspitriglacuculus, Aspitriglalucerna, The`se 3Pe`meP cycle Faculte´ des Sciences, Paris, pp: 151.
    
31. Moreau, J., Bambino, G. and Pauly, D., 1986.Indices of overall growth performance of Tilapia (Cichlidae) populations. J. Mar. Biol. Ass U.K. 3(2): 201- 206. In: Maclean, J.L., L.B. Dizon and L.V. Hossillos (Eds.), The First Asian Fisheries Forun. Asian Fisheries Society, Manilla, Philippines, pp: 727.
    
32. Nikolsky, G.V., 1963. The Ecology of Fishes (Translated by L. Birkett). Acad. Press, London, pp: 352.
    
33. Olim, S. and T.C. Borges, 2006. Weight-length relationships for eight species of the family Triglidae discarded on the south coast of Portugal. J. Appl. Ichthyol., 22: 257-259.
    CrossRef    
34. Papaconstantinou, C., 1981. Age and growth of piper, Triglalyra, in Saronikos Gulf (Greece). Cybium, 5: 73-87.
    
35. Papaconstantinou, C., 1982. Age and growth of grey gurnard (Eutriglagurnardus) in the Pagassitikos Gulf (Greece). Invest. Pesq., 46: 191-213.
    
36. Papaconstantinou, C., 1983. Aspect on the biology of Aspitriglacuculus (Pisces: Scorpaeniformes) from the Saronikos Gulf. Thalassographica, 6: 49-75.
    
37. Papaconstantinou, C., 1984. Age and growth of the yellow gurnard (Triglalucerna L. 1758) from the Thermaikos Gulf (Greece) with some comments on its biology. Fish Res., 2: 243-255.
    CrossRef    
38. Pitt, T.K., 1970. Distribution, abundance and spawning of yellow flounder, Limandaferruginea, in the New Foundland area of the North West Atlantic. J. F. Res. Bd. Canada, 27(12): 2261-2271.
    CrossRef    
39. Priol, E., 1932. Remarquessur les especes de Grondins les plus communes des Cotes de France (Remarks on Grondin species distribution along French coast). Revue des Travaux De L'office Des Peches Maritimes. 5, Facs. 2(18): 223-272.
    
40. Ricker, W.E., 1975. Computation and interpretation of biological statistics of fish population. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd. Can., 191: 382.
    
41. Richards, S.W., J.M. Mann and J. Walker, 1979. Comparison of spawning season, age, growth rates and food of two sympatric species of sea-robins, Prionotusevolans and Prionotuscarolinus, from Long Island Sound. Estuaries, 2: 255-268.
    CrossRef    
42. Serangeli, C., G. Della Seta, V. Hull and A. Mariani, 1985. Contributiallabiologiadeglistadigiovanili di Triglalucerna (Pisces, Scorpaeniformes). Oebalia, 11: 837-838.
    
43. Serena, F., A. Volani and R. Auteri, 1998. Nursery areas and some biological information of tub gurnard (Triglalucerna L., 1758) off Tuscany coast (Italy). Rapp. Comm. Int. Mer Me´ dit, 35: 482-483.
    
44. Soljan, T., 1975. I pescidelAdriatico. Mondatori, Verona, Italy, pp: 522.
    
45. Staples, D.J., 1972. Growth of red gurnard (Teleostei: Triglidae) from Pegasus Bay, Canterbury, New Zealand. J. Mar. Fresh. Res., 6: 365-374.
    CrossRef    
46. Tortonese, E., 1975: Osteichthyes (PesciOssei), part II. Fauna d_Italia (Calderni). Bologna, Italy, pp: 533.
    
47. Tsimenides, N., A. Mechias and A. Kallianiotis, 1992. Distribution patterns of triglids (Pisces, Triglidae) on the cretan shelf (Greece) and Their interspecific association. Fish Res., 15: 83-103.
    CrossRef    
48. Turner, S.C., C.B. Grimes and K.W. Able, 1983. Growth, mortality and age / size structure of fisheries for the tilefish, in the middle Atlantic-Southern New England region. Fish Bull., 81: 325-343.
    
49. Uckun, D., 2005. Investigation of the age and growth characteristics of the species belonging to the family Triglidae in EdremitBay. Ege Univ., J. Fisheries Aquatic Sci., 22(3-4): 363-369.
    
50. Uckun, D.I. and M. Togulga, 2007. Age, growth and reproduction of tub gurnard Chelidonichthys lucerne Linnaeus, 1758 (Osteichthtyes: Triglidae) from Izmir bay, Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean. Acta Adriat., 48(2): 173-184.
    
51. Wood-McPhail, A.S., 1997. Exploitation, biology and management of Cape gurnard Chelidonichthyscapensis (Order: Scorpaeniformes, Family: Triglidae) in South Africa. M.Sc. Thesis, Rhodes University, pp: 173.
    
52. Walford, L.A., 1946. A new graphic method of describing the growth of animals. Biol. Bull. Mar. Biol., 90(2): 141-147.
    CrossRef    

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

Open Access Policy

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

Copyright

The authors have no competing interests.