Age and growth in the Alfonsino, Beryx splendens (Berycidae) from the Azores (central eastern Atlantic)

Age was determined in the Alfonsino, Beryx splendens, by counting the opaqu e rings on the anti-sulcal surface of left sagittae obtained from specimens , 15-43.5 cm fork length (FL), caught off the Azores. Females were from 1 t o 12 years old and males were 1 to 9 years old. Von Bertalanffy (VB) growth equations were fitted to data obtained from age-length keys, back calculat ion, and length-frequency analyses. Growth was compared between sexes and a mong methods. Growth was similar in males, whereas in females the equations derived from length-frequency analysis overestimated length-at-age relativ e to other methods. Sex specific growth could not be confirmed.