Age, growth, and mortality of the banded drum, Larimus fasciatus (Sciaenidae) in North Carolina

Abstract

Fish were aged using length-frequencies, scales, and to a lesser extent otoliths. Problems encountered with aging a rare, short lived, termperate fish were discussed. The maximum size observed was 182mm SL, and 86% of the specimens were <128mm SL. The oldest banded drum reached age 4. The von Bertalanffy growth equation was: Lt=178 (1-e-0.98(t+0.38)), which predicted sizes at ages 1-4 of 132mm, 161mm, 172mm and 176mm SL respectively. The von Bertalanffy growth coefficient (K=0.98) suggested that maximum size was attained quickly. Instantaneous (Z) and total annual (A) mortality rates were 1.44 and 76%, respectively. -from Author