Length–weight and length–length relationships of four native fish species from the Yalong River,China

Length‐weight and length‐length relationships were estimated for four native fish species from the Yalong River and its tributaries, China. A total of 976 specimens were collected monthly using trap nets and electric fishing in May 2013 and July 2015 to February 2016. This study presents the first references on LWRs (length–weight relationships) and LLRs (length–length relationships) for three species (Gymnocypris firmispinatus, Paracobitis variegatus and Euchiloglanis kishinouyei). Moreover, maturation length, absolute fecundity and predominant food items for the four species were also described in the study.     

Length‐weight relationship of stingrays in Kuala Selangor,Malaysia

Length‐weight relationships of three sympatric species of stingrays from a coastal mudflat, Malaysia were estimated. A total of 290 individuals (150 Himantura walga, 78 Dasyatis bennetti, and 57 Dasyatis zugei) were sampled using barrier net, gill net and beam trawl. The length‐weight relationship based on disc length and width generally showed positive allometric growth (b > 3) for all species. This study reports the first findings regarding the length‐weight relationships of these stingray species in Malaysian waters.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships of three cyprinid fishes from the Bibi‐Sayyedan River,western Iran

This study describes the length–weight and length–length relationships for three cyprinid species from the Bibi‐Sayyedan River (western Isfahan provinces, Iran). The slope parameter (b) values in the length–weight relationship equations were determined as 3.0729 for Alburnus mossulensis Heckel, 1843; 2.8509 for Barbus lacerta Heckel, 1843; and 3.0864 for Chondrostoma regium (Heckel, 1843). This study presents the first LWR and LLR references for these species in the Bibi‐Sayyedan River.     

Length‐weight and length‐length relationships of four Alosa species along the southern Caspian Sea coast

This study investigates length‐weight and length‐length relationships of four shad species (Alosa braschnikowi, Alosa caspia, Alosa kessleri, and Alosa saposchnikowii) captured on the southern Caspian Sea coast of Iran. The relationship of total length (TL), fork length (FL) and standard length (SL) and the relationship between total length and body weight are presented.     

Length‐weight and length‐length relationships of two tropical fish Secutor megalolepis (Mochizuki & Hayashi, 1989) and Rhabdamia gracilis (Bleeker, 1856) from Sabah,Malaysia

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) and length‐length relationships (LLRs) for two tropical fish species from Marudu Bay, Sabah were studied. Specimens were caught with the traditional ‘Bagan net’ fishing gear from October 2012 to September 2013, using the light trap method. The maximum total length for Rhabdamia gracilis (7.4 cm) reported in this study is a new record for this species. No information regarding length‐weight relationships was reported previously in FishBase for either Secutor megalolepis or Rhabdamia gracilis.     

Length‐weight relationships of flatfish species caught by bottom trawl in the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea,China

This study determined the length–weight relationships of five flatfish species from the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea in China. Two of the species (Cynoglossus semilaevis and Verasper variegatus) had no previous length‐weight estimates.     

Length–weight relationships for six fish species in Iskenderun Bay (Eastern Mediterranean Sea coast of Turkey)

The length–weight relationships (LWRs) were estimated for six non‐indigenous fish species, namely, Apogon smithi (Kotthaus, 1970); Ostorhinchus fasciatus (White, 1790); Pomadasys stridens (Forsskål, 1775); Champsodon capensis Regan, 1908; Torquigener flavimaculosus Hardy & Randall, 1983; and Tylerius spinosissimus (Regan, 1908) from Iskenderun Bay, eastern Mediterranean Sea. Their length–weight relationship b values ranged from 2.902 to 3.501, and all regressions were found to be significant for all six species (P < 0.001). This study is the first reference on length–weight relationships for these six non‐indigenous fish species from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea coast of Turkey.     

Length‐weight relationships for five Clupeiformes species from the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) were determined for five Clupeiformes species representing three families collected from the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. These are the first references on length‐weight relationships for two of these species (Ilisha megaloptera and Sardinella sindensis). A new maximum length record was obtained for one species (Ilisha melastoma).     

Length–weight and Length‐length relations of four fish species from the Chilika Lake,East coast of India

This study reports the length–weight relationship (LWR) and length‐length relationship (LLR) estimated for four fish species inhabiting in Chilika Lake, India. Total 504 specimens were sampled from mono‐filament gill nets (mesh size 12 mm, 22–24 mm, 34–38 mm, 42 mm) during January 2015 to December 2015. The estimated b values from LWR ranged between 2.79 (T. biaculeatus) to 3.29 (C. praeustus). In all species, the relationships between length‐weight and length‐length were highly correlated (p < .05). The study provides first world reports on LWRs and LLRs for all the 4 studied species.     

Cube law, condition factor and weight–length relationships: history, meta-analysis and recommendations

This study presents a historical review, a meta‐analysis, and recommendations for users about weight–length relationships, condition factors and relative weight equations. The historical review traces the developments of the respective concepts. The meta‐analysis explores 3929 weight–length relationships of the type W = aL^b for 1773 species of fishes. It shows that 82% of the variance in a plot of log a over b can be explained by allometric versus isometric growth patterns and by different body shapes of the respective species. Across species median b = 3.03 is significantly larger than 3.0, thus indicating a tendency towards slightly positive‐allometric growth (increase in relative body thickness or plumpness) in most fishes. The expected range of 2.5 < b < 3.5 is confirmed. Mean estimates of b outside this range are often based on only one or two weight–length relationships per species. However, true cases of strong allometric growth do exist and three examples are given. Within species, a plot of log a vs b can be used to detect outliers in weight–length relationships. An equation to calculate mean condition factors from weight–length relationships is given as K_mean = 100aL^b?3. Relative weight W_rm = 100W/(a_mL^bm) can be used for comparing the condition of individuals across populations, where a_m is the geometric mean of a and b_m is the mean of b across all available weight–length relationships for a given species. Twelve recommendations for proper use and presentation of weight–length relationships, condition factors and relative weight are given.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships of eight endemic Aphanius species from Turkey

Length–weight and length–length relationships were assessed for eight endemic Aphanius species from Turkey. This study provides a new reference on length–weight and length–length relationships and new maximum sizes for all species examined.     

Length–weight relationship of two restricted‐range fish species from central Brazil highlands: Hyphessobrycon coelestinus Myers, 1929 and Hasemania crenuchoides Zarske & Géry, 1999 (Characidae: Characiformes)

This study presents length‐weight relationships (LWR) for two species of the family Characidae (Characiformes), Hyphessobrycon coelestinus and Hasemania crenuchoides, captured in the central highlands of Brazil.     

Length‐weight and length‐length relationships of three indigenous fish species in Persian Gulf,Iran

In this study, length‐length relationships (LLRs) and weight‐length relationships (WLRs) were established for a Carangidae species: Uraspis helvola and tow Flatfishes: Pseudorhombus elevatus and Psettodes erumei that are substantial marine fish species to commercial fisheries in Persian Gulf that are indigenous marine fish species in the region. Samples were collected by non‐selective fish bottom trawler with stretch mesh size of 4 centimeters at the cod‐end area, which helped us to obtain such a broad range size that included small, medium and large size classes during June to August 2017. Hitherto, the length‐weight model presented in this study for Pseudorhombus elevatus and Uraspis helvola were not documented on Fishbase. Additionally, new records of maximum length are presented as 64.5 and 30 centimeters for P. erumei and P. elevatus respectively. A comprehensive size distribution and highly significant fitted model (r²>0.95) in this research provides useful insight for future studies on fish biology, fisheries assessment and ecological modeling.     

Length‐weight and length‐length relationships of thirteen fish species from the lower Jinsha River,southwest China

Length‐weight and length‐length relationships were investigated for 13 freshwater fish species from the lower Jinsha River, southwest China (from 101°32′49.63″E; 26°35′38.27″N to 104°37′48.14″E; 28°45′59.55″N). Fish were sampled from five sites during 2014 and 2016, using trap‐nets, gillnets (major mesh size: 2–6 cm), longline and electrofishing. Length‐weight relationships for six and length‐length relationships for 12 species are the first report to FishBase, respectively. Moreover, new maximum length for 11 species are also presented to FishBase in this study. All regressions were highly significant (p < .001), with the coefficient of determination r² > .950. These information will be helpful for management and conservation in local fishes and fisheries.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships of three Clupeonella species (Clupeidae) from the Caspian Sea

This study investigated length–weight and length–length relationships of three Clupeonella species: C. caspia, C. engrauliformis and C. grimmi captured in the southern Caspian Sea, Iran. Using a lantern net, 206 specimens were collected from July to August 2016. Presented for two of the species are the length–weight and the length–length relationships as well as the first reference on length–weight and length–length relationships for C. caspia in its distribution range.     

Length–weight relationship of six notothenioid species from sub‐Antarctic waters (Beagle Channel,Argentina)

This study presents length‐weight relationships (LWR) for six species of fishes of the Suborder Notothenioidei that inhabit the sub‐Antarctic waters of the Beagle Channel (Argentina). These species represent five of the nine families of this Suborder. The specimens belong to historical fish collections in the area (from 1987 to 1990) using gill and trammel nets. All species but Eleginops maclovinus had no previous LWR estimates. The coefficient of determination (r²) ranged from 0.91 to 0.99 and b values ranged from 2.74 to 3.2. Harpagifer bispinis was the only species with a b value lower than three. This information is useful to predict the weight from the length data and to provide insights into the ecology of sub‐Antarctic nototheniod fish.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships of three endemic fish species from the Yarlung Tsangpo River,China

The length‐weight (LWR) and length‐length relationships (LLR) were estimated for three endemic fish species, including Schizothorax waltoni Regan, 1905, Schizothorax oconnori Lloyd, 1908, and Schizothorax macropogon Regan, 1905 in the Yarlung Tsangpo River. A total of 399 specimens were collected using gillnets and cast nets during February to August 2012 and March to May 2013. No information regarding length–weight and length–length relationships was reported previously in FishBase for these three endemic species.     

Length–weight relationships and length–length relationships of 13 fish species in Rongcheng Bay,China

The present study provides the length–weight relationships (LWRs) of 13 fish species belonging to eight families that were collected in Rongcheng Bay, March 2009 to December 2014. The r² values ranged from 0.953 to 0.994 and values of b varied from 2.542 to 3.454. The study also describes the total length – standard length relationships (LLRs) for these fish species. This is the first record of length–weight and length–length relationships for the fish species in this area.     

Length–weight relationships of fish species caught by bottom trawl in Jiaozhou Bay,China

Length–weight relationships (LWRs) were estimated for 31 fish species caught by bottom trawl surveys in Jiaozhou Bay on the west coast of the south Yellow Sea. Specimens were collected from September 2008 to August 2009 at monthly intervals. This study presents the first reference on LWRs for 15 of these species and new records of maximum total length for two species. Most of the b values fell within the expected range of 2.5–3.5. The mean value of b was 3.094 ± 0.064 (95% CL), which was significantly larger than 3.0, indicating a slight but significant tendency towards positive allometric growth in most of the fishes. Effects of the sex, season and growth phase were taken into account in this study. Results showed significantly different relationships between males and females in three of the species. Four species were found to have highly significant seasonal differences in the regression slope of b. Two different growth stanzas were detected using the double‐logarithmic plot of body weight vs total length for three species. The finding that the absolute residuals of b from 3.0 would become smaller with the increase in length‐range used was confirmed in this study.