Otolith biometry of lizard fish (Saurida lessepsianus) inhabiting İskenderun bay

In this study, the relationships between the fish length and weights and otolith dimensions of lessepsian lizardfish (Saurida lessepsianus) inhabiting İskenderun Bay were examined. Saurida lessepsianus specimens were caught by commercial trawling vessel between 2021- 2022 fishing season at depth of 50-55m from İskenderun Bay. A total of 193 (65 female and 128 male) Saurida lessepsianus specimens were collected. Otolith lengths (OL), breadths (OB) and weights (OW) of each fish specimen were measured nearest 0,001 mm and 0,0001g respectively. Minimum and maximum - total lenght and body weight of captured fishes were determined as 12,5-26,4 cm and 8,8-121,2 g for females and 12,4-24.4 cm and 11,2-99,5 g for males. According to the regression analysis values a positive moderate relationship between the total fish length-otolith weight, otolith length, otolith breadth, and fish weight- otolith length, otolith weight and otolith breadth was determined.