Age and Growth of Atlantic Croakers in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, Based on Otolith Sections

Otoliths from 1,291 Atlantic croakers Micropogonias undulatus, with total lengths from 113 mm to 417 mm, from the northern Gulf of Mexico were examined to determine age and growth. Marginal increment analysis was used to determine that otolith marks formed annually. Ages ranged from 0 to 8 years. No significant difference was found for length at age between males and females. The von Bertalanffy equation was Lt = 419.2[1 - e−0.273(t+1.405)], where Lt = total length (mm) and t = age (years). The length-weight relationship (r = 0.99) was W = 5.302 × 10−6TL3.134 where W = weight (g) and TL = total length (mm).