Age and growth of Abu Mullet, Planiliza abu (Heckel, 1843), in Karun River, Southwestern Iran

A total of 460 specimens of Planiliza abu (Heckel, 1843) were collected from the Karun River of Khuzestan Province, Iran (November 2016-September 2017). Sex ratio was 1:1.06 male to female which was not significantly different (P 0.05). The average condition factor for males and female was 1.34 and showed no significant difference among different months in both sexes (P 0.05). The total length range was 9.3-17.3cm (13.18±1.35), and the total weight 10.3-71.28g (31.05±9.22). The maximum age based on scale readings was 7+ years for females and males. The most frequent age groups were 4+ in both sexes. The total length-weight relation for females was W=0.03TL2.63 (R2=0.88) and for males was W= 0.02TL2.72 (R2=0.91), indicating a negative allometric pattern for females and males. The Von Bertalanffy growth model was estimated as Lt= 11.90[1-e 0.21(t-2.26)] and Lt= 13.45[1-e-0.66(t-3.67)] for males and females, respectively. The growth performance index (Ф ) value was 3.39 in males and 4.79 in females, indicating a faster growth rate in females.