Abstract
Kyphosids are conspicuous members of temperate and tropical reef fish communities. Some species contribute to commercial and recreational fisheries but are vulnerable to capture in large numbers due to their schooling behaviour and site fidelity. Previous ageing studies of kyphosids have determined that some species are long-lived, with maximum ages >40 years, which is a trait often associated with low natural mortality rates. Kyphosus sydneyanus is one of the largest kyphosids and has historically been caught in large numbers as a bycatch species in the demersal gillnet fishery in southern Western Australia. A large K. sydneyanus specimen was collected from that fishery in March 2021. A count of the growth (opaque) zones in the sectioned otoliths were used to determine that the age of this individual was 93 years, more than double the previous maximum age of a Kyphosus species and the longest-lived coastal species in southern Australia.
Funder
Parks Australia
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Subject
Nature and Landscape Conservation,Ecology
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