
%0 Journal Article
%A Gooley, GJ 
%T Validation of the use of Otoliths to determine the ate and growth of Murray Cod, <I>Maccullochella peelii</I> (Mitchell) (Percichthyidae), in Lake Charlegrark, Western Victoria
%J Marine and Freshwater Research
%D 1992/10/01
%V 43
%N 5
%P 1091-1102
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/MF9921091
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/MF9921091 
%X The age and growth of Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii, in Lake Charlegrark, western Victoria, were determined by using otoliths from fish sampled by beach-seine and gill-net, or caught by anglers, between August 1978 and August 1982. Annulus formation was validated up to 11 + years by several methods. Otoliths were examined from hatchery-bred fish of known age (up to 4+ years) that had been stocked into local farm ponds. Analysis of incremental growth for all fish sampled from the lake indicated that the mean edge-growth ratio was lowest, and the percentage of otoliths with an annulus at the edge was highest, in October. A nominal birth date of 1 October was designated for the population to enable calculation of the absolute age for each fish. Age-composition data for those fish taken by gill-net and by anglers (up to 21 + years) revealed modal progression of strong year classes (1970 to 1973 inclusive) during the sampling period. Length-frequency data for those fish taken by beach-seine (up to 3 + years) revealed modal progression, on a seasonal basis, of two relatively strong year classes (1978 and 1979) during the sampling period. A von Bertalanffy growth curve was fitted to length and age data for all fish collected in the lake (no sex difference, P>O.05), and growth parameters were estimated for the population (L&#8734; = 695 mm). This curve did not adequately describe the growth of fish older than 11 + years because the majority of sampled fish (98.3%) were aged 11 + years or younger. The length-weight relationship for the population was determined by using data from all fish collected in the lake (no sex difference, P>0.05). 
