Charles S. Manooch, III

Otoliths and scales of gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus, sampled from the Florida headboat fishery were examined to see if they could be used to age the species. Scales were not useful, but sectioned otoliths proved to be excellent for determining age and growth. Rings could be identified and counted on 91% of all otoliths examined, and measurements could be made on 86%. The oldest fish encountered was 21 years; 775 mm TL. Back-calculated lengths at annulus formation ranged from 95 mm for age 1 to 772 mm for age 19. The von Bertalanffy equation describing theoretical growth is 1t = 890 (1-e-...

Scales and otoliths of the white grunt, Haemulon plumieri, sampled from the North Carolina and South Carolina headboat fishery were examined to determine if they could be used to age the species. Both structures were satisfactory, 76% of the fish examined could be aged by scales and approximately the same percentage by otoliths. Agreement for a given age between otoliths and scales taken from the same fish was 75%. The oldest fish collected was XIII; 589 mm total length. Growth occurred from about mid-March to November. Back-calculated mean lengths ranged from 97mm at end ofyear 1 to 550...

Bold's Basal and Gorham's media were used to culture algae removed from the digestive tracts of Blue Tilapia, Tilapia aurea (Steindachner). Nine fish representing three-size categories collected from Lake Parker, Florida, were used in the study. Samples extracted from three areas of the gut were introduced to the culture media within twenty-four hours after collection. Microscopic examination of the cultured materials was conducted over a four-week period to enable the completion of reproductive cycles and excystment of algal cells. Twenty-one taxa of algae were identified by sampling...