Age and growth of Callorhinchus capensis (Order Chimaeriformes) are estimated from counts of serially deposited cones of dentine in the dorsal spine. Age estimates are validated by cone margin characteristics. Growth curves for females and males are described by the formulae Lt = 1 089,375(1−e0,0515(t+0,6O6))0,520 and Lt = 685,641(1−e0,171(t+0,721))0,593 respectively. The relationship between
... [Show full abstract] spine length and age for both sexes combined is described by the equation St = 162,594(1−e−0,254(t+1,434)). Age to mass relationships differ greatly between sexes and are best described by a Von Bertalanffy curve for males, Mt = 2,155(1−e−0,483(t+13,131)), and a linear relationship for females, Mt = 0,399(t+0,098). The relatively greater mass of older females reflects a large increase in female girth following the onset of sexual maturity.