Belgin Hoşsucu

AN INVESTIGATION OF GROWTH PARAMETERS AND OTOLITH—TOTAL LENGTH RELATIONSHIP OF SOLEA SOLEA (L., 1758) (PISCES: SOLEIDAE) IN IZMIR BAY

ABSTRACT The relationships of length—weight and age, and otolith length—total length in Solea solea were examined. The length and age of wild-caught specimens were compared with the length and age calculated theoretically, together with the results from the back-calculated lengths-at-age. Five different groups of total length were designated, and otolith lengths were compared with each of them. Similarly, the same parameters were utilized to determine sexual differences. As a result, it was observed that age and length groups of wild-caught specimens agree with the age and length groups calculated theoretically. Each otolith length group conforming to total length groups was distributed homogeneously, whereas the differences between them were statistically significant.