Relations between fish length to weight, and otolith length and weight, of the lionfish Pterois volitans in the Parque Nacional Arrecife Alacranes, southern Gulf of Mexico

Described are the relations between fish length to weight, and otolith length and weight, of the lionfish (Pterois volitans) collected by diver-fishermen volunteers between 2011 and 2013 in a natural protected area (Parque Nacional Arrecife Alacranes) off the northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. High correlations were detected between fish length and otolith length. Significant differences in the length-weight relations were found for males and females. Length of lionfish can be estimated from otolith length and weight. This study will be helpful in diet content studies of potential predators of lionfish helping to discern the size of lionfish consumed when otoliths are found in stomachs of predators