Relative Growth, Reproduction and Feeding Habits of The Saddled Bream, Oblada Melanura (Linnaeus, 1758) in Tripoli Coast, Western Libya

Abstract

These studies were carried out to investigate some biological parameters of the saddled bream O. melanura in Tripoli coast from May 2015 to April 2016. The total length of all specimens ranged from 127 to 261 mm. Males were mostly dominant in small length while females in large length. Sex ratio was 1:1.45 in favour of females. The percentage of sex reversal was 6% and the mean total length of sex inversion recorded at 190 mm. The slopes (b values) of the length ± weight regressions indicate positive allometric growth for sexes. The condition factor of individual ranged from 0.62 to 1.20, with no difference between males and females. Macroscopic examination of gonads and gonad-somatic index indicated that spawning occurred once a year during summer. Overall size at first maturity (L₅₀) was 181.9 mm TL. Stomach content revealed that the saddled bream is a carnivorous species feeding zooplanktonic organisms, mainly on shrimps and fish larvae. The results of this study support available information for other Mediterranean stocks and suggest common biological features among different stocks.