Growth, Reproduction and Diet of Pufferfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus Gmelin, 1789) from Turkey's Mediterranean Sea Coast

Abstract

Basic biological information of the puffer fish Lagocephalus sceleratus is presented based on a 2 year study. A sample of 656 fish with total lengths ranging from 12.5 to 6.5 cm was collected from commercial catches and fishing line at the Antalya Bay between December 2008 and January 2010. Males made up 51.3% whereas females 48.7% of the population. The length - weight relationship was given by TW = 0.012 TL2.979. The Bhattacharya method was used to separate cohorts from a length frequency distribution obtained pooling monthly samplings. The von Bertalanffy growth model was used to fit growth curve to the length frequency data. The von Bertalanffy growth equation were L-t=126.11(1-e(-0.099(t+1.4349))). The spawning takes place during early summer. Relative fecundity was 781 +/- 172 eggs g(-1) the total body weight and average egg size was 640 mu m in diameter in June. Analysis of the diet composition showed that the fish is carnivorous and crustaceans are the major food items for L. sceleratus.