Age and growth of pearly razorfish, Xyrichtys novacula (Linnaeus 1758), in the central Mediterranean Sea

Summary Age and growth of pearly razorfish Xyrichtys novacula (Labridae) were determined in specimens caught on sandy bottoms by surrounding nets and lines (depth range 5–30 m) between January 2000 and December 2002. The study location was in the central Mediterranean Sea. For this purpose the annual growth increments (annuli) in sagittae were analysed. A total of 470 individuals of X. novacula, ranging from 49 to 200 mm TL (total length), were examined. Conversion between total length and standard length was calculated and represented by the relationship: . Edge analysis on otoliths was carried out to validate seasonality deposition. Seven age-classes were determined from 0+ to 6+. The linear relationship between maximum otolith length (OL) and TL was summarized in the equation . The estimated parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth function were L = 175.05 mm, k = 0.80 year−1, t0 =−0.73 years and the growth performance index calculated as (Φ = 2.39). The length–weight relationship W = 0.0139 TL2.9326 described an isometric growth for the species in this area.