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Weight-length relations of fishes are useful for estimation of biomass from length observations, e.g., in fisheries or conservation research. Here we provide some guidance to authors of such papers, in order to facilitate the publication and review process

Fish reproductive biology (onset and duration of spawning, sex ratio, maturity stages, length and age at maturity, and fecundity) is important in fisheries research, stock assessment, and management. In this editorial note, we provide some criteria and recommendations on issues of fish reproductive biology, which may be useful in research planning, data analysis and presentation, as well as in manuscript preparation.

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 < 0.01), and was at a minimum in January and February, indicating a single growth mark formation per year (i.e. annulus). Further analyses showed that the morphometric characteristics of the spines did not differ significantly (r² > 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.

Weight-length relations of fishes are useful for estimation of biomass from length observations, e.g., in fisheries or conservation research. Here we provide some guidance to authors of such papers, in order to facilitate the publication and review process.