Age and growth of Sandelia bainsii Castelnau (Pisces: Anabantidae) in the Tyume River, Eastern Cape (South Africa)

Abstract

Otoliths and scales were used for age and growth determination of Sandelia bainsii. There was a linear relationship between fish length and both scale and otolith radii. Growth rings were deposited annually in spring. Otoliths provide a more reliable estimate of age and growth than scales. Males grow faster, reach a larger size and have a longer lifespan than females. Based on otoliths the growth of males is described by L_t = 287(1-e^{-0,186(t-0,15 )}t = 214(1-e ^{-0,223(t-0,18)}) mm SL.