Age and growth of the robust tonguefish Cynoglossus robustus in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan

Abstract

This study provides data on the age and growth of the robust tonguefish, Cynoglossus robustus in the western part of the Hiuchi-Nada Sea in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan. Fish samples consisting of 299 robust tonguefish were collected monthly from June 2000 to May 2001. Maximum total length (TL) was larger for females than males. Growth was modeled using age estimates obtained from sagittal otoliths. The length-weight relationship followed an allometric growth pattern (b 3.0). Estimated ages ranged from 0.5 to 5.5 years for females and from 0.5 to 3.5 years for males. Von Bertalanffy growth equation parameters were derived from back-calculated TL fitted to TL at age; estimated values for females, were L=46.0 cm, k=0.278 year(-1), and t(0)=-1.033 years, and values for males, were L=43.4 cm, k=0.281 year(-1), and t(0)=-1.171. The growth performance index values for females and males were phi=2.77 and phi=2.72, respectively.