Length-Weight Relationships and Relative Condition Factor of 53 Species of Shallow-Water Fish in the Colombian Caribbean Sea

Length-weight relationships (LWR) were described for 53 species of shallow-water fish caught with bottom trawls in a depth range between 7.3 and 108.1 m during September 2013 in the Colombian Caribbean Sea (fishing area 31 of the FAO). A linear regression was performed using the logarithmically transformed data to calculate a and b coefficients and their 95% confidence interval of the LWR for 53 fish species corresponding to 28 families and 44 genera. Six fish species showed a maximum total length greater than that reported in FishBase: Astrapogon alutus (102.00 mm), Eucinostomus harengulus (162.00 mm), Haemulopsis corvinaeformis (293.00 mm), Cyclopsetta chittendeni (390.00 mm), Etropus crossotus (224.00 mm), and Bairdiella ronchus (415.00 mm). A total of 24 species (45.3%) exhibited isometric growth, 21 species (39.6%) negative allometric, and 8 species (15.1%) positive allometric. This study shows the first estimates of LWR for 25 species of shallow-water fish in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. We found interdependence of growth parameters as a function of fish body shape. The analysis of the relative condition factor indicated that 21 fish species (39.6%) showed poor growth conditions. The results obtained from this study contribute to fill information gaps on shallow-water fish populations and also help fisheries scientists in future population assessment studies in the Colombian Caribbean Sea.

Automated summary

This study investigated the length-weight relationships of 53 shallow-water fish species in the Colombian Caribbean Sea, revealing differences in growth patterns among species and the influence of body shape on growth parameters. The findings fill information gaps on shallow-water fish populations in the region and have implications for future population assessment studies.