Age, Growth, and Food of Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) from East-Central Long Island Sound from July through November 1975

Abstract

Age and growth were analyzed from scales of 64 bluefish taken from east-central Long Island Sound during mid-July to mid-November 1975. Ages ranged from 2+ to 7+ years; fork lengths ranged from 44 to 76 cm. No consistent differences were noted between the sexes. Back-calculations from scale readings indicated that mean fork lengths, in centimeters, for each year were: 23 at 1+ year; 40 at 2+ years; 49 at 3+; 48 at 4+; 64 at 5+; 69 at 6+; and 71 at 7+ years. Weight in grams doubled from 1,800 at 3+ years to 4,100 at 5+ years, increasing to 5,500 at 7+ years. Sixty-seven bluefish ate Loligo peali (squid) and seven species of fish: Brevoortia tyrannus, Anchoa mitchilli, Peprilus triacanthus, Etrumeus teres, Alosa pseudoharengus, Merluccius bilinearis, and Pomatomus saltatrix. With the exception of menhaden, all prey were of small size, ranging in length between 5 and 20 cm.