Age and growth of white croaker, Pennahia argentata, in the Ariake sound, Japan

Age and growth of the white croaker Pennahia argentata distributed in Ariake Sound (Japan) were estimated from right sagittal otoliths of 381 specimens. Seasonal examination of the outer margins of otoliths showed that the opaque zone was formed once a year with the peak in May-June, coinciding with spawning season. The relationship between otolith radius and total length showed a significant difference between males and females. The von Bertalanffy growth equations were established as follows: males, L sub(t)=294[1-exp {-0.360(t+1.21)} ]; females, L sub(t)=312[1-exp {-0.384(t+0.873)} ], where L sub(t) is total length in mm and t is age in years. The maximum age of the collected specimen was 6 years for both sexes. Males and females showed similar growth at age 1, and after age 2, females grow larger than males. The growth equations between males and females differed significantly.