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The sparid Pachymetopon aeneum is a benthic carnivore feeding predominantly on hydroids, runicates and octocorais, Juveniles and subadults occur on shallower reefs than the adults but the diet of all sizes is similar, The species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, sex reversal occurring between 200 and 300 mm forklength. Fifty per cent maturity in females occurs between 200 and 250 mm forklength. Peak reproductive activity was recorded between September and March. Otoliths were used to determine growth rate. Growth in length was described by the equation, L.(mm) = 467,06t1 - e-0.1328(t··0.24731). The relationship between length and weight, W(g) = 0,00001 L(mm)3,149, was used to determine somatic growth as, W(g) = 2545,98(1 .e-0.1328(t-0.2473»))3 .149,. P. aeneum have a potential for exploitation but the combination of late maturation and protogynous hermaphroditism could lead to over-exploitation in a size-selective fishery.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Research Group:	Fisheries Sciences
Research Field:	Fisheries Sciences not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding Knowledge in the Environmental Sciences
Author:	Buxton, CD (Professor Colin Buxton)
ID Code:	49221
Year Published:	1986
Web of Science® Times Cited:	25
Deposited By:	TAFI - Marine Research Laboratory
Deposited On:	2007-08-01
Last Modified:	2010-01-20
Downloads:	13 View Download Statistics