Fish Ecology

Lab 1
October 16th 2002
Heather Varaleau
230005521
Using a sample of 25 northern pike minnows, we investigated the size
relationships between various physical fish features and overall fish size (described as
standard length of the fish). A comparison of northern pike minnow mass and standard
length revealed a strongly correlated allometric relationship between these two features,
making standard length an accurate measurement of overall fish size. We found that
numerous measurable fish features had a direct relationship to the overall size of the fish,
with some holding a stronger relationship than others. In addition, we examined a group
of 9 different fish species to identify relationships between fish body form (as a
relationship between fin area and condition factor), swimming mode, and living
environment.

RESULTS

Northern Pike Minnow (Table 1)

A log-log plot of northern pike minnow standard length versus mass (figure 1)
revealed that these two features are directly related (R2 = 0.9852). In addition, analyses
of this plot revealed that standard length and mass share an allometric relationship
(y=0.5x3.0912).

A comparison of standard length and total fin area using a log-log plot (figure 2)
revealed that these two features are also strongly correlated (R2 = 0.7895), although not as
strongly as standard length and mass. Furthermore, these two features also share an
allometric relationship (y=0.1066x1.9044).
We also looked at the girth of the fish at three different areas and plotted these
against standard length (figure 3). We plotted the girth at the operculum, the girth at the
anterior edge of the dorsal fin, and the girth at the narrowest portion of the caudal
peduncle. Each of these plots showed a strong relationship between girth and standard
length (R2=0.9539, R2=0.9429, R2=0.8877 respectively).
Furthermore, we looked at jaw features in relation to standard length (figure 4). A
plot of standard length versus jaw length revealed that these two features are strongly
correlated (R2= 0.8558), whereas a plot of standard length versus jaw width show a
relationship that is less strongly correlated (R2=0.2504).
We also looked at a two features related to the eye (figure 5). A plot of standard
length versus the distance from the snout to the anterior margin of the eye revealed that
these two features are strongly correlated (R2=0.9429), whereas standard length and eye
orbit diameter are less strongly correlated (R2=0.5765).

Different Species (Table 2)

To make data from the nine separate species applicable to each other as a group,
we standardized the measurements and plotted condition factor versus total fin area
divided by length squared (figure 6). This plot revealed a strong relationship between
condition factor and fin area (R2=0.8226). Points along this line fell into three general

regions along the line. The first group of fish had condition factors ranging from 0.0979
to 0.483992, the second group had factors ranging from 1.23089 to 1.96919, and the last
group consisted of one fish whose condition factor was 4.189345. The first group of fish
had a similar anguilliform body shape, the second group had a wider range of body forms
containing individuals with both streamline forms and forms adapted to living along the
substrate, and the third group consisting of a single individual (the buffalo sculpin) who
has a substantially flattened body form.