Growth, maturity and fecundity of female spotted wolffish <i>Anarhichas minor </i>in Icelandic waters

Abstract

Fecundity, maturity and growth of spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor were studied in Icelandic waters. A total of 477 female A. minor were sampled. The time from the onset of the cortical alveolus stage until spawning was on average 5 years. The total length ( L T50 ) and age ( A 50 ) at 50% maturity for spawning fish was 827 mm and 9·1 years. Observed average annual growth was 65 mm for A. minor at the age range 5–10 years. Spawning fish grew faster than fish at the cortical alveolus stage. Growth and maturity of A. minor in Iceland appeared to be similar to growth and maturity of A. minor in the Barents Sea. The fecundity of Barents Sea fish was, however, higher than Icelandic fish.