Growth and diameter of the pectoral fin spines of artificially reared juvenile Persian sturgeon, Acipenserpersicusin the south Caspian Sea

The growth and microstructure pattern were studied in the pectoral fin spines of artificially reared juvenile Persian sturgeon, Acipenserpersicus in the south Caspian Sea. After biometry, the right pectoral fin spine of the fish specimens were taken and their weight and lengths recorded. No difference in the weight and total length were observed between eastern and western juvenile rearing sites (P>0.05). The condition factor (CF) was also not significantly different between the sites (P>0.05). The relationship between body weight and spine weight was significant at both sites. There was no difference between section diameters of the pectoral fin spines at the eastern and western sites (P>0.05). The relationship between total length and body weight was as asymptotic, so main growth observed in early life cycle. This study revealed similar growth traits of the artificially reared juvenile of Persian sturgeon at the eastern and western sites before they are released to the Sea could be useful to know their conditions for conservation goals.