Comparison of some biological aspects between the two sexes of the European hake Merluccius merluccius from the Egyptian Mediterranean waters

Abstract

Research on morphometrics, size frequency, length–weight relationship and condition factor belonging to both sexes of Merluccius merluccius in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters off Alexandria in the period from 2009 to 2011. The differences between the mean values of the measured morphometric characteristic in the females and males were statistically significant in eight of the fifteen morphometric measurements. The total length–gutted weight relationship was determined for males (Loga=−2.5016, b=3.22296), females (Loga=−2.5886, b=3.2816) and combined sexes (Loga=−2.5069, b=3.22738). Total length–weight relationship was for males (Loga=−2.4715, b=3.2230), females (Loga=−2.6279, b=3.3182) and combined sexes (Loga=−2.46607, b=3.21954). Condition factor was calculated by gutted weight. Females have higher condition value (0.670) than males (0.640). The highest value of condition factor was recorded in winter.