The Growth of Tropical Fishes

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the equations that are commonly used to explain the growth of tropical fishes and presents the range of growth rates and maximum sizes that are achieved. By focusing on tropical fishes, it raises the question as to whether the growth of tropical fishes displays any particular features not shown by fishes from other regions. It might be assumed that they can grow faster and without seasonal variation in growth rate because of the lack of large annual variations in temperature. However, many other factors can also limit growth, including local productivity and oxygen availability, so it is far from clear if tropical fishes will actually grow faster or more consistently than colder water species. To determine the rate of growth it is essential to know the age of the fish. In temperate waters hard structures such as scales, otoliths, spines, and bones often put down a clear annual winter growth check so that it is possible to determine the number of winters the fish has experienced. Tropical fishes have been observed to produce a single annual growth check. There are clear indications that the growth rates achieved by fish vary with the density of their populations, which may vary naturally, or by human exploitation.