Life history of the Mediterranean killifish Aphanius fasciatus in brackish water habitat of Algerian low Sahara

The Mediterranean tooth carp Aphanius fasciatus , a strongly eurythermic and euryhaline species, is an important component of the ichthyofauna in the valley of Oued Righ, situated in Algerian low Sahara. This study aims to understand the life history of this species in arid environment. A total of 1868 individuals (16.7–60.2 mm TL, 0.04–26.8 g TW) were collected between November 2010 and November 2011 from Ayata Lake (Algerian low Sahara). Individual age was determined by scalimetry. Some aspects of the sexual cycle are studied. The population was composed of 6 age classes in both sexes. Back-calculations of total length-at-age were suitably adjusted to von Bertalanffy growth model with: Lt = 80.00 [1−e −0.172 (t + 1.377) ] for females and Lt = 77.58 [1−e −0.138 (t + 2.236) ] for males. The fitted total length-total weight relationship was W = 0.013 L 2.848 for females, W = 0.013 L 2.809 for males. Spawning occurs once a year between February and July with peak activity in May for Females and in April for Males. Gonado-somatic index reaches a maximum of 4.16% in males and 15.73% in females. The length at the first sexual maturity is 45 mm for both sexes.