Errors in Length-weight Parameters at FishBase.org

TL;DR

This study reveals significant errors and inconsistencies in length-weight parameters listed on FishBase.org, questioning the reliability of the database for fish weight predictions across multiple species.

Contribution

It provides a systematic comparison of FishBase.org parameters with standard and reference data, highlighting the need for improved data validation methods.

Findings

Minimum and maximum predicted weights vary widely and often produce unrealistic results.

Many parameters in FishBase.org are dubious and lead to unreliable length-weight curves.

A systematic review is necessary to improve data quality and reliability.

Abstract

To investigate possible errors, length-weight parameters from FishBase.org were used to graph length-weight curves for six different species: channel catfish, black crappie, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, flathead catfish, and lake trout along with the standard weight curves (Anderson and Neumann 1996, Bister et al. 2000). Parameters noted as doubtful by FishBase were excluded. For each species, variations in curves were noted, and the minimum and maximum predicted weights for a 30 cm long fish were compared with each other and with the standard weight for that length. For lake trout, additional comparisons were made between the parameters and study details reported in FishBase.org for 6 of 8 length-weight relationships and those reported in the reference (Carlander 1969) for those 6 relationships. In all species studied, minimum and maximum curves produced with the length-weight parameters at FishBase.org are notably different from each other, and in many cases predict weights that are clearly absurd. For example, one set of parameters predicts a 30 cm rainbow trout weighing 44 g. For 30 cm length, the range of weights (relative to the standard weight) for each species are: channel catfish (31.4% to 193.1%), black crappie (54.0% to 149.0%), largemouth bass (28.8% to 130.4%), rainbow trout (14.9% to 113.4%), flathead catfish (29.3% to 250.7%), and lake trout (44.0% to 152.7%). Length-weight tables at FishBase.org are not generally reliable and the on-line database contains dubious parameters. Assurance of quality probably will require a systematic review with more careful and comprehensive methods than those currently employed.