Growth and length-weight relationship of the juvenile anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, in the nursery ground (Zrmanja River estuary-eastern Adriatic Sea)

Abstract

Growth and length–weight relationships of 2564 juvenile specimens of anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758), were examined over a 2-year period (August 1989 to April 1991) in the Zrmanja River estuary. Fish sizes ranged from 4.4 to 12.5 cm total length and 0.5 and 13.8 g, corresponding to age (in years) 0+ (98%) and 1+ (2%). Length–weight regression coefficient (b) varied between 2.95 and 3.42 and the regression constant (a) between 2.1 and 6.0 (×10−3). The von Bertalanffy growth equation of juvenile anchovy was: lt = 13.2 (1 − e−0.82(t+0.5)). Maturity was reached in June in males above 8.2 cm and females above 9.0 cm total length.