Method for comparing fish growth curves

Abstract The method of comparing growth curves that is described in this paper consists of describing growth for the ith group by the equation L i (t) = a i + b i r t , which is linear in the two parameters a i and b i , and subsequently using the analysis of variance to compare the curves. The advantages of the linear growth equation over the von Bertalanffy equation, l i (t) = a i + b i r t i , are easier analysis and a much simpler interpretation of the differences in the parameters in terms of growth rate and maximum size. An example comparing the growth of male and female red gurnard Chelidonichthys kumu from four areas within the Hauraki Gulf is given.