Age and Growth Characteristics of Himri Barbel (Barbus luteus Heckel, 1843) in Orontes River, Turkey

Authors: KAYA GÖKÇEK, İHSAN AKYURT

Abstract: In this study, the age and growth of Himri Barbel (Barbus luteus Heckel, 1843) were determined based on specimens collected from Orontes River-Turkey, during the period from February 2004 to January 2005. This population comprised 7 age groups of males and 9 of females. The male and female ratio was 1:1.26 (M:F). Total length-weight relationship was estimated as W = 0.0129TL^{2.986} for females, W = 0.0125TL^{3.003} for males. Growth parameters of the von Bertalanffy equation were computed for females and males as: L_{infinite}= 38.77, W_{infinite}= 714.23, k = 0.300, t_0 = -1.69 and L_{infinite}= 40.32, W_{infinite}= 819.35, k = 0.247, t_0 = -1.58, respectively. Maximum observed age was 9, suggesting that the species is long-lived.

Keywords: Himri Barbel, Barbus luteus, Age, Growth, Orontes River

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