Growth and Sex Ratio of Juvenile Olive Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) at Different Size-ranks

The aim of this study was to assess whether size-rank at the juvenile stage is associated with growth performance and sex ratio in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Juveniles (mean body weight, $8.8{\pm}0.9\;g$) were selected from two age groups, with the high size-rank group (HSRG) fish in the upper 19.3-67.3% of 104 days post-hatching (dph) age group and the low size-rank group (LSRG) fish in the lower 9.0-55.7% of 116 dph age group. Triplicate groups of 100 fish were reared over 32 weeks. A heavier final body weight was observed in the HSRG ($360{\pm}12\;g$) compared to the LSRG ($315{\pm}9\;g$, P<0.05), whereas no differences in feed intake, feeding efficiency, and mortality were seen between the experimental groups. The percentage of females was significantly higher in the HSRG (51.7%) than in the LSRG (30.8%, P<0.05). In addition, a remarkable increase in growth was recorded in females, indicating that the relative frequency of females increased with a body weight increase. The results suggest that high size-rank juvenile olive flounder have better growth performance and a higher percentage of females, because females start growing faster than males before size grading occurs.