Growth and reproduction of horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus (Carangidae)

Abstract

There is a broad knowledge of the growth andreproduction of Trachurus trachurus,although important gaps still exist. Horsemackerel are a long-lived species, reaching upto 40 years of age. They have isometric growth,although the alometric parameter b mayvary throughout the year and in relation tolatitude. Growth to age 3 is rapid compared toslower growth later in life. Phenomena ofdensity dependent growth have been observed inthe northeast Atlantic. Horse mackerel are anasynchronous species. The following stages ofatresia have been validated in horse mackerel:alpha, beta, and delta. The transition infemales from the spawning state to postspawning is very fast. The spawning fraction inhorse mackerel is estimated to be between 8.3%and 20.9%. Horse mackerel have a long spawningseason (up to 8 months), which varies accordingto geography. Length at first maturity isbetween 16 and 25 cm, most commonly around21 cm. Males mature at a slightly smallerlength than females. The age at first maturityfor females has been estimated to range from 2to 4 years, depending on the geography. Batchfecundity has been estimated to range between172–209 oocytes per gram-female-weight. Femalespawning lasts between 65 and 94 days. Anindividual female can release from 5 to 16batches during the spawning period. Theestimated potential annual relative fecundityranges from 1040 to 3280 oocytes pergram-female-weight.