Skip to main content

Age determination of orange roughy,Hoplostethus atlanticus (Pisces: Trachichthyidae) using210Pb:226Ra disequilibria

Marine Biology volume 109, pages 197–202 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

Natural levels of210Pb:226Ra in otoliths of orange roughy,Hoplostethus atlanticus, from south-east Australian waters, were measured to determine fish ages radiometrically. Up to maturity, radiometric age estimates were consistent with a single constant otolith growth rate. Radiometric ages for juveniles were comparable with, but greater than, those obtained in a recent, validated New Zealand study which employed counts of annuli on the surface of otoliths. Beyond maturity, radiometric ages were obtained by modelling with an otolith growth rate set at 45% of the juvenile rate. Radiometric ageing confirms that orange roughy is very slow-growing, with an age at maturity (32 cm standard length, SL) of ~ 32 yr, and is very long-lived, with fish 38 to 40 cm being 77 to 149 yr old. These results have important implications for the management of the fishery.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Literature cited

  • Beamish, R. J. (1979). New information on the longevity of Pacific Ocean perch (Sebastes alutus). J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 36: 1395–1400

    Google Scholar 

  • Beamish, R. J., McFarlane, G. A. (1983). The forgotten requirement for age validation in fisheries biology. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 112: 735–743

    Google Scholar 

  • Beamish, R. J., McFarlane, G. A. (1987). Current trends in age determination methodology. In: Summerfelt, R. C., Hall, G. E. (eds.) The age and growth of fish. The Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa, p. 15–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, J. T., Boehlert, G. W., Turekian, K. K. (1982). Confirmation of longevity inSebastes diploproa (Pisces: Scorpaenidae) from210Pb/226Ra measurements in otoliths. Mar. Biol. 71: 209–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Boehlert, G. W. (1985). Using objective criteria and multiple regression models for age determination in fishes. Fish. Bull. U.S. 83: 103–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Campana, S. E., Zwanenburg, K. C. T., Smith, J. N. (1990).210Pb/226Ra determination of longevity in redfish. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sciences 47: 163–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenton, G. E., Ritz, D. A., Short, S. A. (1990).210Pb/226Ra disequilibria in otoliths of blue grenadierMacruronus novaezelandiae: problems associated with radiometric ageing. Aust. J. mar. Freshwat. Res. 41: 467–473

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauldie, R. W. (1987). The fine structure of check rings in the otolith of the New Zealand orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus). N. Z. Jl mar. Freshwat. Res. 21: 261–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauldie, R. W. (1988a). Microscopic growth increments in the otolith of orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) and their potential use in studies of growth, recruitment and otolith structure. (Unpublished manuscript held at Fisheries Research Centre, New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Wellington)

  • Gauldie, R. W. (1988b). The effect of surface sculpturing on the interpretation of opaque and hyaline zones in the orange roughy otolith. J. appl. Ichthyol. 4: 140–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauldie, R. W. (1990). Phase differences between check ring locations in the orange roughy otolith (Hoplostethus atlanticus). Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sciences 47: 760–765

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalish, J. M. (1989). Otolith microchemistry: validation of the effects of physiology, age and environment on otolith composition. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 132: 151–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Kotylar, A. N. (1980). Age and growth of the bigheadsHoplostethus atlanticus andH. mediterraneus. In: Fishes of the open ocean. Institute of Oceanology, Academy of Sciences USSR, Moscow, p. 66–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Lester, R. J. G., Sewell, K. B., Barnes, A., Evans, K. (1988). Stock discrimination of orange roughy,Hoplostethus atlanticus, by parasite analysis. Mar. Biol. 99: 137–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Linkowski, T. B., Liwoch, M. (1986). Variations in the morphology of orange roughyHoplostethus atlanticus (Trachichthyidae) otoliths from New Zealand waters. Pr. morsk. Inst. ryb. Gdyni 21: 43–59 (Rep. Sea Fish. Inst. Gdynia)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyle, J., Evans, K. R., Wilson, M. A. (1989b). A summary of orange roughy biological information: 1981–1986. Tech. Rep. Div. Sea Fish., Dep. prim. Ind., Tasm. 39: 1–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyle, J., Kitchener, J., Riley, S. (1989a). Orange roughy bonanza off Tasmania. Aust. Fish. 48(12): 20–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Mace, P. M., Fenaughty, J. M., Coburn, R. P., Doonan, I. J. (1990). Growth and productivity of orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) on the north Chatham Rise. N. Z. Jl mar. Freshwat. Res. 24: 105–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Ovenden, J. R., Smolenski, A. J., White, R. W. G. (1989). Mitochondrial DNA restriction site variation in Tasmanian populations of orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) a deep-water marine teleost. Aust. J. mar. Freshwat. Res. 40: 1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Pankhurst, N. W., Conroy, A. M. (1987). Size-fecundity relationships in the orange roughyHoplostethus atlanticus. N. Z. Jl mar. Freshwat. Res. 21: 295–300

    Google Scholar 

  • Pannella, G. (1980). Growth patterns in fish sagittae. In: Rhoads, D. C., Lutz, R. A. (eds.) Skeletal growth of aquatic organisms: biological records of environmental change. Plenum, New York, p. 519–560

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosecchi, E., Tracey, D. M., Webber, W. R. (1988). Diet of orange roughy,Hoplostethus atlanticus (Pisces: Trachichthydae) on the Challenger Plateau, New Zealand. Mar. Biol. 99: 293–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Sill, C. W., Olson, D. G. (1970). Sources and prevention of recoil contamination of solid-state alpha detectors. Analyt. Chem. 42: 1569–1607

    Google Scholar 

  • Van den Broek, W. L. F. (1983). Ageing deepwater fish species: report of a visit to the United Kingdom September–November 1982. Misc. Ser. Fish. Res. Div. Minist. Agric. Fish. (Unpubl. travel Rep., MAF Fisheries, Greta Pt Library, Wellington, N.Z)

  • Veeh, H. H., Burnett, W. C. (1982). Carbonate and phosphate sediments. In: Ivanovich, M., Harmon, R. S. (eds.) Uranium series disequilibrium: applications to environmental problems. Oxford University Press, New York, p. 459–480

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, H. A. (1987). An analysis of orange roughy otoliths. (Unpublished manuscript held at the National Marine Fisheries Service, United States Department of Commerce, Hawaii)

  • Williams, M. (1989). Orange roughy research in Australia: a case for research co-ordination. Search, Sydney 20: 130–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, R., Bedford, B. C. (1974). The use of otoliths for age determinations. In: Bagenal, T. (ed.) The ageing of fish. Unwin Brothers, Surrey, England, p. 114–124

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Department, University of Tasmania, G.P.O. Box 252C, 7001, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

    G. E. Fenton & D. A. Ritz

  2. Environmental Radiochemistry Laboratory, ANSTO, Private Mail Bag 1, 2234, Menai, New South Wales, Australia

    S. A. Short

Authors
  1. G. E. Fenton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. A. Short
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. A. Ritz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by G. F. Humphrey, Sydney

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fenton, G.E., Short, S.A. & Ritz, D.A. Age determination of orange roughy,Hoplostethus atlanticus (Pisces: Trachichthyidae) using210Pb:226Ra disequilibria. Mar. Biol. 109, 197–202 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01319387

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01319387

Keywords

  • Growth Rate
  • Important Implication
  • Standard Length
  • Natural Level
  • Juvenile Rate