Length-Weight Relationships, Age and Growth, and Body Condition of the Spottail Shiner (Notropis hudsonius) (Clinton 1824) in the Western Basin of Lake Erie

Abstract

Total length (L_T) and standard length (L_S)(mm) were compared to weight M_B(g) in the Spottail Shiner, Notropis hudsonius (Clinton 1824), in the Western Basin of Lake Erie.  Length and weight relationship (n = 529), length-frequency distribution, and sex ratio were evaluated for tributary habitats and compared to coastal habitats.  The total population had a positive correlation between log normalized L_T and M_B (y = 3.0902x-5.2289, R²= 0.995) and a positive correlation between L_S and M_B (y=3.1397x-5.0501, R²= 0.996). Male Spottail Shiner had a positive correlation between log normalized L_T and M_B (y = 3.0984x-5.2465, R²=0.995,) and a significant positive correlation between log normalized standard length and body weight (y = 3.1551x-5.0775, R²=0.996). Female Spottail Shiner had a positive correlation between log normalized L_T and M_B (y = 3.078x-5.2034, R²=0.993) and a positive correlation between log normalized L_S and M_B (y = 3.1338x-5.0393, R²=0.996). Males and females were not significantly different in L_T or L_S (F-test = 1.020, df = 260, 267, p = 0.437). Sex ratio was 1:1. Spottail Shiner exhibit indeterminate growth and did not exhibit gender influenced growth patterns. Tributary individuals were significantly smaller than coastal individuals (F-test = 0.346, df = 65, 202, p = < 0.001). Male age I individuals ranged from 12-54 mm, age II individuals ranged from 57-99 mm, and age III individuals ranged from 99-132 mm.  Female Age I individuals ranged from 12-48 mm, age II individuals ranged from 53-102 mm, and age III individuals ranged from 102-129 mm.