Aging and Growth Determination of Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) using the Cuttlebone

Abstract

Determining the age and growth of aquatic animals was the main objective of scientists to study, evaluate, and conclude its biological aspects; since it was a cornerstone for fisheries management purposes. A new procedure was applied for aging Sepia officinalis from the cuttlebone by using 590 specimens; to realize its specific growth in its natural habitat in the southeastern Mediterranean Sea, North Sinai, Egypt. Dorsal mantel length-cuttlebone length, lamellae numbers, and thickness relationship were measured. The maximum age of the common cuttlefish found in this study was 1.25 years (5 seasons). The average numbers of lamellae formed in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth seasons were 31,62,97,124, and 143 lamellae respectively. Results of the current research obtain a new approach for aging sepia from the cuttlebone when some information about the temperature over the year is available.