Nonlethally assessing elasmobranch ontogenetic shifts in energetics

Abstract

Body condition is an important proxy for the overall health and energetic status of fishes. The classically used Fulton's condition factor requires length and mass measurements, but mass can be difficult to obtain in large species. Girth measurements can replace mass for wild pelagic sharks. However, girth-calculated condition has not been validated against Fulton's condition factor intraspecifically, across ontogeny or reproduction, or in a controlled setting. We used the epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum), because they are amenable to captive reproduction, to track fine-scale body condition