Abstract

Acanthuridae are abundant and important members of Caribbean reef fish fauna. Growth of Ocean surgeon from Martinique, captured by Antillean traps in March and of April 2007, was studied through otoliths examination, lengthfrequency distributions and length-weight relation. Length-frequency distributions show different patterns between Atlantic and Caribbean coast. Length ranged from 11 to 16 cm in Atlantic and from 13 to 27 cm on the Caribbean side. The parameters a and b for the relationship W = aLb were estimated for the whole sampling (a = 1,258x10-4 and b = 2,627). There is a strong linear relationship between fish length and otolith length. The Von Bertalanffy growth curves were fitted to length at age data separately for fishes from Caribbean coast and those from Atlantic coast. Growth was different between individuals of the two island coasts. Regression analysis of relationship between age and otolith weight and between age and fish length were done. As result, otolith weight was more correlated with age than length. This high correlation between otolith weight and age can permit using otolith weight as an approximation of age for stock assessment and management of fisheries. The observed differences of Acanthurus bahianus growth between Atlantic and Caribbean coast can be explain by differences in type and quality of habitats inducing differences in food quality and quantity and mode of life.

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