New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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Age and growth of moki, Latridopsis ciliaris (Teleostei: Latridae)

Malcolm P. Francis

Department of Zoology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 1, New Zealand

Abstract Latridopsis ciliaris from Kaikoura, New Zealand, were aged by counting hyaline rings on their otoliths. Otoliths were prepared by breaking, grinding, and burning. Commercial catches of L. ciliaris were sampled for length-frequency distribution at Kaikoura and Gisborne to determine length (and, indirectly, age) at first recruitment and full recruitment. Size at sexual maturity was determined by examination of gonads. L. ciliaris reach sexual maturity at a fork length of about 40 cm and an age of 5-6 years. They first recruit to commercial fisheries at a length of 40-44 cm and an age of 5-6 years; full recruitment is attained at a length of 60 cm and an age of 8-10 years. The rate of growth declines markedly at about the time the fish join the migratory adult schools. L. ciliaris grow to at least 80 cm fork length and reach an age of 33 years.

Keywords Latridopsis ciliaris: age; growth; otoliths; length-frequency distributions; sexual maturity; recruitment; fishery management.

New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 1981, 15(1): 47-49
Received 20 June 1980; revision received 15 December 1980

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (703K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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