Age Determination of Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) Using Dorsal Fin Rays and Scales

Abstract
Cross sections of the 4th-8th fin rays from the 2nd dorsal fin provided reliable ages of lingcod (O. elongatus), although there was some difficulty interpreting the ages of 1 and 2 yr old fish. Length was an acceptable indicator of 1 and 2 yr old fish. After a scale age of 5 or 6 yr, the scale annulus became difficult to identify. After age 7 or about 75-85 cm, fin-ray ages were older than scale ages. Some of the oldest fish averaged 8 yr older by the fin-ray method. Mature females attained much larger mean sizes than males of similar age, and there was considerable variation in size of similar-aged older fish.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: