The relationship between fish condition and the probability of being mature in American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Abstract

Abstract Fish condition can be related to a population's reproductive potential in a variety of ways. The relationship between condition and the probability of being mature (adult) was examined in three populations of American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides). The effect of condition was tested after first removing the known effects of age and length. Neither relative liver condition nor relative body condition significantly affected the probability of male American plaice being mature, but there was a significant positive effect of both condition indices on the probability of being a mature female. However, the additional variation explained by female condition was small when compared with the combined effect of age and length. Condition is related to the age and size at which fish attain adulthood. Variation in fish condition will have a direct impact on the spawning stock biomass of a population through differences in the maturation schedule of cohorts with differing condition.