Growth patterns of juvenile seahorse Hippocampus mohnikei (Bleeker, 1853), from Korea

Abstract

The allometric growth patterns in the juvenile Japanese seahorse Hippocampus mohnikei, were examined over 90 days. Newborn Japanese seahorses [mean ± standard length (SL) 0.83±0.06 cm] were reached 6.11 ±0.87 cm at 90 days after released. Newly released juveniles closely resembling adults seahorse, which had 14 dorsal fin rays, 12 pectoral fin rays, and 11 body rings. Juveniles had pelagic period reached about 70 days, formed pouch about 80-90 days after released. The growth function models of von Bertalanffy (VBGF), Robertson (RGF) and Gompertz (GGF) were estimated in relationship between SL and days as followings:(1) Traditional VBGF (von Bertalanffy)Lt = 14.0(1-e0.0062(t+2.8387)) (2) Robertson growth function (Robertson)Lt = 12.3/1+13.4745e-0.0319t(3) Gompertz growth function (Gompertz)Lt = 8.9e-2.6030e0.0221t where Lt is the standard length at age t, t is the age (day from releaed). The goodness of fit of the three growth functions was compared on the coefficient of determination (r2) and Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIG). The VBGF had the smallest AIG (-83.852), highest r2 (0.9899) among the three functions. According to the results, VBGF is likely best model to describe the growth of H. mohnikei.. Newly released juveniles closely resembling adults seahorse, which had 14 dorsal fin rays, 12 pectoral fin rays, and 11 body rings. Juveniles had pelagic period reached about 70 days, formed pouch about 80-90 days after released. The growth function models of von Bertalanffy (VBGF), Robertson (RGF) and Gompertz (GGF) were estimated in relationship between SL and days as followings:(1) Traditional VBGF (von Bertalanffy)Lt = 14.0(1-e0.0062(t+2.8387)) (2) Robertson growth function (Robertson)Lt = 12.3/1+13.4745e-0.0319t(3) Gompertz growth function (Gompertz)Lt = 8.9e-2.6030e0.0221t where Lt is the standard length at age t, t is the age (day from releaed). The goodness of fit of the three growth functions was compared on the coefficient of determination (r2) and Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIG). The VBGF had the smallest AIG (-83.852), highest r2 (0.9899) among the three functions. According to the results, VBGF is likely best model to describe the growth of H. mohnikei.