Length-Weight Relationships, Age and Growth, and Body Condition of the Spottail Shiner (Notropis hudsonius) (Clinton 1824) in the Western Basin of Lake Erie

Total length (LT) and standard length (LS)(mm) were compared to weight MB(g) in the Spottail Shiner, Notropis hudsonius (Clinton 1824), in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. Length and weight relationship (n = 529), length-frequency distribution, and sex ratio were evaluated for tributary habitats and compared to coastal habitats. The total population had a positive correlation between log normalized LT and MB (y = 3.0902x-5.2289, R2= 0.995) and a positive correlation between LS and MB (y=3.1397x-5.0501, R2= 0.996). Male Spottail Shiner had a positive correlation between log normalized LT and MB (y = 3.0984x-5.2465, R2=0.995,) and a significant positive correlation between log normalized standard length and body weight (y = 3.1551x-5.0775, R2=0.996). Female Spottail Shiner had a positive correlation between log normalized LT and MB (y = 3.078x-5.2034, R2=0.993) and a positive correlation between log normalized LS and MB (y = 3.1338x-5.0393, R2=0.996). Males and females were not significantly different in LT or LS (F-test = 1.020, df = 260, 267, p = 0.437). Sex ratio was 1:1. Spottail Shiner exhibit indeterminate growth and did not exhibit gender influenced growth patterns. Tributary individuals were significantly smaller than coastal individuals (F-test = 0.346, df = 65, 202, p = < 0.001). Male age I individuals ranged from 12-54 mm, age II individuals ranged from 57-99 mm, and age III individuals ranged from 99-132 mm. Female Age I individuals ranged from 12-48 mm, age II individuals ranged from 53-102 mm, and age III individuals ranged from 102-129 mm.