Age and Growth of Phoxinus grumi Berg, an Endemic Fish in the Turpan Basin

P. grumi Berg, an endemic species of the Turpan Basin, constitutes an important component of the local aquatic biodiversity. This study aimed to identify the growth model that best describes the growth characteristics of P. grumi Berg and provide baseline biological information on this poorly studied species in Turpan. The research was conducted in the Turpan Basin in November 2024 and March 2025. A total of 527 specimens were collected, with body lengths ranging from 39.0 to 96.0 mm and body weights ranging from 0.69 to 16.00 g. The female-to-male sex ratio was 3.6:1. Age determination based on otolith analysis indicated that individuals ranged from 1 to 5 years old, with age groups 2-3 years predominating in the population, with age groups 2-3 years predominating in the population. The length-weight relationship for females was W = 4.0674 × 10^-5L^2.7695 (R² = 0.8028), for males was W = 1.2645 × 10^-5L^3.02 (R² = 0.9103), and for the combined population was W = 1.9513 × 10^-5L^2.9321 (R² = 0.8221). The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated as follows: L_∞ = 102.25 mm, k = 0.331, t₀ = -0.7548, Φ = 2.3297, t_i = 3.5392; L_∞ = 105.82 mm, k = 0.2157, t₀ = -0.6737, Φ = 4.4503, t_i = 3.3829. The results suggest that the P. grumi Berg population may currently exhibit an increasing population trend; however, the age structure was dominated by younger individuals, indicating a relatively unstable population structure. These findings enrich the basic biological information available for P. grumi Berg and provide an important scientific basis for future conservation and management strategies.