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Age, growth and reproduction of the barbel, Barbus sclateri (Günther, 1868), in a first‐order stream in southern Spain
Author(s) -
Herrera M.,
Hernando J. A.,
FernandezDelgado C.,
Bellido M.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1988.tb05479.x
Subject(s) - barbel , biology , fecundity , gonad , fish measurement , reproduction , fishery , zoology , fish <actinopterygii> , ecology , demography , anatomy , population , sociology
This study was based on examination of 1476 barbels from a first‐order stream located in the Guadalquivir River basin (38°N, 4°43′W). This stock comprised nine age groups of male and 11 of females. No growth was recorded between October and March, most occurring in April–June and, to a lesser extent, in July–September. A classification analysis revealed that this stock had the lowest growth rate of 37 different European barbel populations. Length–weight relationships were obtained for 12 barbel categories and used to estimate both condition and instantaneous growth rate. Relative condition (before and after subtracting gonad weight) was similar in both sexes and was affected by gonad growth and environmental summer conditions. Spawning occurred during the second half of May (15 May is suggested as the birthday). Gonads began to develop in September (females) and in February (males). Males matured at between 7 and 9 cm fork length (f.l.) (2–4 years old) and females between 11 and 16 cm (6–7 years). The fecundity of this stock was represented by the formula F =6.07 10 4 f.l. (mm) 3.0667 . Larger and older fish showed a higher fecundity and bigger eggs. The overall sex ratio did not differ from 1:1.