Age Estimation and Growth Pattern of Common Pandora, Pagellus erythrinus, on the Coast of Benghazi - Eastern Libya

The aim of this study was to estimate the age and growth pattern of the common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) from the coast of Benghazi, eastern Libya. We collected 102 samples of these fish during the winter season using nets and fishing lines. Age was determined by analyzing their scales, which ranged from one to four years. Total weight ranged from 31.58 to 189.7 grams, and total length ranged from 13.2 to 25.0 cm. The mean total length calculated inversely was estimated to be 8.5 cm at the end of the first year, 13.4 cm in the second year, 16.2 cm in the third year, and 17.4 cm in the fourth year. Growth in length was most pronounced in the first year, with an average increase of 4.9 cm representing 57.6% of the fish’s size at that age. In the second year, growth slowed to 2.8 cm (20.9%), and by the third year it declined further to 1.2 cm (7.4%). These data show that P. erythrinus reaches a large fraction of its final size within the initial year of existence, after which its growth rate slows significantly. The statistical analysis, using a one-way ANOVA, revealed highly significant differences in the mean total length among the different age groups (p<0.001), confirming that age is a crucial factor influencing the size of this species. The von Bertalanffy model was used to determine the growth parameters, which included a theoretical age at zero length (t₀ = -1.51 years), an asymptotic length (L∞ = 27.51 cm ), and a growth coefficient ( K= 0.34year ⁻¹). These findings provide a valuable baseline for understanding the population dynamics of P. erythrinus in the region and highlight the importance of localized data for sustainable fisheries management. These results promote sustainable fisheries management throughout the Libya coast and advance our knowledge of Pagellus erythrinus population dynamics.