Abstract
Summary The potential use of pectoral fin spines for ageing purposes was examined in Aristotle’s catfish (Silurus aristotelis) and validated for growth proportionality and growth mark periodicity. Monthly samples (n = 436, total length range: 11.10–36.70 cm) were collected in Lake Pamvotis, Greece from November 2002 to December 2003. Marginal increment analysis showed that the spine width (SW) radius grew proportionally to total body length (TL) (TL = 9.581 + 6.83SW, r2 = 0.66, n = 431, P 0.80 in all cases) when removed from one side of the fish or the other. The procedure was based on individuals no older than 5 years of age; extrapolation to higher age classes may be critical.
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