Age, growth, reproductive cycle and fecundity of the black scorpion fish Scorpaena porcus Linnaeus, 1758 in the Black Sea

Abstract

In this study, the main population parameters (age, length, sex composition, length-weight relationship, age length relationship, growth parameters, condition factor, gonad somatic index, mortality, and reproduction properties) of the black scorpion fish Scorpaena porcus Linnaeus, 1758 in the Black Sea were investigated. Scorpaena porcus was collected by monthly sampling and a total of 2442 black scorpion fish were sampled by the use of regular and trammel nets. The average length of the specimens was 15.78 +/- 3.19 cm and the average weight was 87.08 +/- 66.96 g. The length-weight relationship equation for all the individuals was W = 0.0165 L-3.0559 (R-2 = 0.96). In the study, 1562 females and 876 males were examined, and the females/males ratio was found to be 1:0.56. Age determinations were conducted on 594 individuals, and the age distribution was found to be 0-9 years. Growth constants obtained were L-infinity = 35 cm, K = 0.1359 year(-1), t(0) = -2.5404 years. Mortality rates calculated were instantaneous mortality rate (Z) = 0.5399, natural mortality rate (M) = 0.3467, and fishing mortality rate (F) = 0.193. It was found that reproduction took place between May and October, intensively during June and July.