Development of standard weight equations for Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico amphidromous fishes

North American Journal of Fisheries Management
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Abstract

We collected and compiled length and weight information from four countries and one commonwealth to develop standard weight (Ws) equations for three amphidromous fish species native to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico regions: mountain mullet Agonostomus monticola (N = 9,768 individuals, 52 populations), river goby Awaous banana (N = 1,847 individuals, 62 populations), and bigmouth sleeper Gobiomorus dormitor (N = 2,983 individuals, 53 populations). Linear and quadratic Ws equations for three quartiles (25%, median, 75%) are presented for these three species. The length-weight relationship from eight lentic bigmouth sleeper populations was significantly different from that of lotic populations, reflecting higher weights of juvenile fish (< 70 mm total length) in lentic environments. Thus, independent W(s) equations were developed for lotic populations of bigmouth sleepers. W(s) equations were not developed from lentic bigmouth sleeper populations alone due to the low number of applicable populations caused by life history constraints; the equation from combined lentic and lotic populations is suggested for application to lentic bigmouth sleeper populations. These morphometric relationships for amphidromous fishes may improve the ability to assess existing and potential sport fisheries and allow ecological assessment based on fish condition.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Development of standard weight equations for Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico amphidromous fishes
Series title North American Journal of Fisheries Management
DOI 10.1577/M10-058.1
Volume 30
Issue 5
Year Published 2010
Language English
Publisher American Fisheries Society
Publisher location Lawrence, KS
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description 7 p.
First page 1203
Last page 1209
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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