Use of otoliths to estimate size at sexual maturity in fish

Abstract

The viability of an alternative method for estimating the size at sexual maturity of females of Plagioscion squamosissimus (Perciformes, Sciaenidae) was analyzed. This methodology was used to evaluate the size at sexual maturity in crabs, but has not yet been used for this purpose in fishes. Separation of young and adult fishes by this method is accomplished by iterative adjustment of straight-line segments to the data for length of the otolith and length of the fish. The agreement with the estimate previously obtained by another technique and the possibility of calculating the variance indicates that in some cases, the method analyzed can be used successfully to estimate size at sexual maturity in fish. However, additional studies are necessary to detect possible biases in the method.