Abstract

Studies on age, growth, mortality and recruitment of Alburnoides sp. were conducted in Kesselian Stream, South Caspian Sea, Iran from July 2008 to June 2009. Length frequency data were analyzed by using FISAT (FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tools) software for estimating population parameters. Asymptotic length (L∞) and growth coefficient (K) were estimated at 104.48 mm and 1.19/year. Growth performance index (Ø') was calculated as 4.113. Total mortality (Z) was estimated at 3.40/year, whereas fishing mortality (F) and natural mortality (M) were found to be 2.43/year and 0.97/year, respectively. Annual mean temperature and salinity was 12.46°C and 0.32 ppt in the investigated area. The present exploitation rate (E = 0.71) indicated that the fish stock of Alburnoides sp. is over exploited in the Kesselian Stream.

Key words: Iran, Alburnoides sp., growth, mortality, stock.