Some bioecological characteristics of lionfish Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828) in Iskenderun bay

In this study, age, growth and nutritional characteristics of 179 lionfish Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828) collected in Iskenderun Bay between March 2018 and April 2019 with harpoon and extension net were investigated. The sex ratio of individuals aged between 1-6 years and 14.5-35.5 cm was calculated as 1: 0.67 in favor of males. The length-weight relationship was calculated as W = 0.0067L3.2204 for females, W = 0.0076L3.1811 for males, and W = 0.0079L3.1706 for all individuals. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters for all individuals L∞ = 44.6271 cm, K = 0.1933 year-1, t0 = -1.3513 years were calculated. The highest gonadosomatic index value was 6.33% in August. 43% of the stomachs were empty, stomachs with contents of fish, crustaceans, mollusc shells, marine plants, reef parts were detected.