Reproduction,growth and feeding habits of stout beardfish Polymixia nobilis (Polymixiidae) off the Canary Islands (NE Atlantic)

The present study provides fisheries biology knowledge which will allow the implementation of regulatory measures contributing to the sustainability of the fisheries and the conservation of the stout beardfish Polymixia nobilis Lowe, 1838 off the Canary Islands, north eastern Atlantic Ocean. Males ranged between 16.5 and 38.4 cm fork length (FL) and females from 14.2 to 46.5 cm FL. Sex ratio by size classes provided significant differences in classes higher than 36 cm, being clearly unbalanced in favour of females. Individuals in maturing and mature stages were present during all months sampled, although a spawning peak is evident between April and June. Size at first maturity was estimated as 26 cm FL for females and 30 cm FL for males. Age was determined from annuli in whole otoliths. Age range was found to be 0–14 years for fish measuring 14.2 to 46.5 cm FL. It is a slow‐growing and long‐lived species. Significant differences in the growth parameters between sexes were detected. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated for females (n = 213) were L_∞ = 45.92 cm LF, k = 0.16 years^?1 and t₀ = ?2.84 years; and for males (n = 186) L_∞ = 36.44 cm LF, k = 0.26 years^?1 and t₀ = ?2.16 years. Stomach analysis indicated some variations in the feeding habits with growth: individuals of small and medium sizes preyed on crustaceans and fishes, while large specimens preyed mainly on fishes.