Otolith weight as a predictor of age in Sillaginopsis panijus (Hamilton, 1822): Development of a preliminary age estimation model
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Reliable age estimation is crucial for evaluating fish population dynamics and managing wild fish stocks. However, age determination in Sillaginopsis panijus remains limited due to the absence of validated age-length data and challenges associated with ring-counting methods. This study evaluated whether otolith weight (OWt) can be used to estimate the age of S. panijus and developed regression-based predictive models using assumptive age distributions derived from the von Bertalanffy Growth Function (VBGF). Thirty individuals were collected from fish markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and their biometric traits (total length, standard length, and body weight) were compared with otolith dimensions (length, width, and weight). Otolith weight exhibited the strongest relationship with total length (R 2 = 0.8266), supporting its use as a proxy for age. Three model types (linear, power, and exponential) were evaluated to estimate age from OWt. The linear model (Age = 0.79 + 27.78 × OWt) provided the best fit (R 2 = 0.829), followed by the power (R 2 = 0.823) and exponential models (R 2 = 0.816). These findings demonstrate the utility of otolith weight-based age estimation for S. panijus and provide a rapid, non-destructive approach for preliminary stock assessment in data-poor fisheries. Nonetheless, the applicability of the suggested model is presently confined to the observed size and age range, necessitating further confirmation through direct otolith aging over more extensive cohorts.
Authors: Mohammad Rashed, KM Jakaria Shuvo, Siam Sheikh Sadi, Md Abdul Baten
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,410
OpenAlex ID: W7128427591