Observations on the age and growth of shank (Acanthopagrus latus (Houttuyn, 1782)) from al-Razzazah Lake

From February 2007 to January 2008, monthly samples of shank (Acanthopagrus latus) were taken from three stations at Al-Razzazah lake,by using a range of gill nets and seine nets. A total of 318 fish were taken from all stations. The age data determined from the scales showed that there were eight age classes present in station 1 and 2 and seven age classes in station 3. The increment in length of A. latus at the area of study showed a tendency to decrease with the increase in age after the fourth year of life. The length- weight relationships of both sexes sp ecimens are expressed by the following equations: Log  = -1.93 + 2.67 Log ….. for station (1) fish Log  = -2.08 + 2.74 Log  …. For station (2) fish Log  = -2.02 + 2.39 Log  …. For station (3) fish It seems from the above equations that the growth of A. latus in the area of study is allometric.