Determining the most suitable method of otolith preparation for estimating the age of tigerfish, Hydrocynus vittatus in the Pongolapoort Dam, South Africa

Age and growth rate estimations as a basis for assessing the population dynamics of Hydrocynus vittatus Castelnau 1861 in the Sanyati Basin of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

“…growth rings, otoliths, precision, scales, tigerfish, von Bertalanffy understanding of the factors affecting recruitment success (Soekoe et al, 2013). Knowledge of age and growth dynamics of adult fish can be used to determine the effects of fishing on the stocks and the efficacy of management policies in order to better understand life history events and maximize yields while also continuing to ensure the future of the resource (Winker et al, 2010).…”

“…It is also an important angling fish species in Zimbabwe (Dalu et al, 2012(Dalu et al, , 2013a(Dalu et al, , 2013b. Despite the importance of this fish species, little information is available regarding various aspects of the ecology of the species, specifically in regard to its age structure (Soekoe et al, 2013).Accurate knowledge of age and growth is fundamental to fishery science (Filmalter et al, 2009). Information on age structure in early life stages can be used to clarify the effects of environmental changes on growth and survival and can result in an improved…”

“…It is also an important angling fish species in Zimbabwe (Dalu et al, 2012(Dalu et al, , 2013a(Dalu et al, , 2013b. Despite the importance of this fish species, little information is available regarding various aspects of the ecology of the species, specifically in regard to its age structure (Soekoe et al, 2013).…”

“…Sectioned otoliths are considered the most appropriate structures for evaluating the age and growth dynamics of freshwater fishes. Gerber et al (2009) and Soekoe et al (2013) are the only studies using otoliths to estimate the age of H. vittatus. This is because otoliths show annual and daily patterns, therefore providing a permanent record of life history events.…”