Age, Growth, and Age at Maturity of Bonefish (Albula Species) Among Cuban Habitats

Authors: Jacob Rennert, Jon Shenker, Aaron Adams, Jorge Angulo-Valdez

Year: 2018

Abstract

Bonefish (Albula spp.) are a prized sportfish among avid anglers worldwide. Two morphologically indistinguishable species of bonefish (Albula vulpes and Albula goreensis) occur in coastal areas of the tropical western Atlantic. Growth rates of A. vulpes, which supports an economically important sport fishery, differ among locations where they have been studied, but many locations have not yet been examined. To investigate bonefish growth in Cuba, specimens were obtained from 3 regions around the periphery of the island from November 2016 to January 2017. Sagittal otoliths (for aging) and fin clips (for genetics) were collected from each fish, and sex was determined by examining gonads. A total of 222 bonefish were collected for this study. Comparisons of distribution patterns, von Bertalanffy growth curves and age at maturity of different species in different regions will be presented. The insight of different growth patterns between A. vulpes and A. goreensis allows for better management of the species, and further distinguishes differences in the biology of A. vulpes and A. goreensis.