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Zebrafish Girella zebra (Richardson 1846): Biological Characteristics of an Unexploited Fish Population
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Zebrafish Girella zebra (Richardson 1846): Biological Characteristics of an Unexploited Fish Population

Peter Graham Coulson
Fishes, Vol.11(1), 24
2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11010024
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CC BY V4.0,  Open Access

Abstract

Kyphosidae otoliths spawning maturity growth mortality
Kyphosids are prominent members of temperate and subtropical reef fish communities, though many species are not targeted due to their poor eating qualities. This study investigated the biology of the non-targeted zebrafish, Girella zebra, from waters off southern Western Australia. Frequent captures of small juveniles enabled confirmation of the formation of the first otolith zone, and marginal increment analysis verified the annual formation of opaque zones. Female G. zebra reached a maximum total length and age of 399 mm and 45 years, while males attained 431 mm and 36 years. Girella zebra exhibits a “square” form of growth, as do other Kyphosids, whereby rapid growth occurs during the first 6–8 years, followed by minimal growth throughout a long adult lifespan. Length and age at maturity were 290 mm and 6.7 years for females and 269 mm and 4.9 years for males. Spawning occurs from August to December, and large gonads in both sexes are indicative of spawning in large schools. Natural mortality (M) estimates (females: 0.10–0.15 year−1; males: 0.12–0.18 year−1) exceeded total mortality from catch curves, reflecting that commonly used M estimators are based on heavily fished stocks. This study provides rare biological data for a species unaffected by fishing.

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#14 Life Below Water

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