Sexual differences in growth of the painted comber, Serranus scriba (Linnaeus, 1758) (Teleostei, Serranidae) from Southeastern Mediterranean
Growth of Painter Comber, Serranus scriba, from Egyptian Mediterranean waters was studied for 568 females and 295 hermaphrodites. The two sexual phases grew at different rates. Hermaphrodites have a larger adult size, a longer life span, and reach sexual maturity at an earlier size than females. The von Bertalanffy’s asymptotic growth function adequately describes Painted Comber’s growth. Females, L∞ = 26.86 cm, W∞ = 217 g, k = 0.2366, to = –1.0181; hermaphrodites, L∞ = 33.18 cm, W∞ = 398 g, k = 0.2194, to = -1.0159. The index of growth performance (Q’) shows that the rate of growth is better in hermaphrodites than in females. The well-being of this species under natural conditions is also discussed.