Age, growth and maturity of Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) in northwestern part of the Persian Gulf

In this study age, growth and maturity of Hilsa shad in Khuzestan province were analyzed. 394 number of fishes from marine habitat (Lifeh-Boseif), estuaries (Bahmanshir and Arvand) and rivers (Bahmanshir and Karoon) from February 2014 to September 2014 were collected using commercial fishing with gill net. Total length and wet weight of each fish were measured with precision of 1 cm and 1 gram. Sagittal otoliths were extracted for age determination of the fish. Since the otoliths were fragile, they were sectioned by polishing with sandpapers 800, 1500 and 2000. Then abdominal cavity of each sample were opened for determining sex and maturity stage. Growth parameters were calculated using von Bertalanffy growth function (L_∞=58.365, K=0.26, t0=-0.16). Phi-prime constant was obtained 2.95. Length and age at first maturity were obtained 27.32cm and 2.4 g respectively using logistic model to fit a and b parameters with observed data in spawning season.