Research Article

Length–weight relationship of the lizardfish Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) from the Visayan Sea, Philippines

Number: Advanced Online Publication Early Pub Date: September 13, 2026
EN

Length–weight relationship of the lizardfish Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) from the Visayan Sea, Philippines

Abstract

This study determined the length–weight relationship (LWR) and growth pattern of the lizardfish Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) collected from commercial bottom trawl landings in the Visayan Sea, Philippines. A total of 433 specimens collected between October 2024 and September 2025 were analyzed. Total length ranged from 12.1 to 38.5 cm, while body weight ranged from 14.4 to 517.0 g. The length–weight relationship was estimated using least-squares regression of log-transformed length and weight data. The resulting equation was W = 0.006L³·⁰⁵, with a coefficient of determination (r²) of 0.91, indicating an excellent fit of the regression model. The estimated growth exponent (b = 3.05) did not differ significantly from the theoretical isometric value of 3, indicating isometric growth. These findings provide updated biological information on S. tumbil and serve as a useful reference for biomass estimation, stock assessment, and science-based fisheries management in the Visayan Sea.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), Philippines

Project Number

164

Ethical Statement

This study was based on fish samples obtained from commercial fishing operations in the Visayan Sea, Philippines. No live animal experimentation or human subject involvement was conducted. The study complied with applicable institutional and national guidelines for the collection and use of fisheries data.

Thanks

The author sincerely thanks the fishers of Carles and Estancia, Iloilo, for their cooperation during data collection. Appreciation is likewise extended to the Local Government Units of Carles and Estancia and to colleagues from the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) for their support and assistance throughout the study.

References

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  2. Barut, N.C., Santos, M.D., & Garces, L.R. (1997). Overview of Philippine marine fisheries. In: Status and management of tropical coastal fisheries in Asia. ICLARM Conf. Proc. 53 (pp. 62–71).
  3. Clarito, Q.Y., & Suerte, N.O. (2021). Population dynamics of sulphur goatfish, Upeneus sulphureus (Cuvier, 1829) in the Visayan Sea, Philippines. Journal of Fisheries and Environment, 45(2), 43-54.
  4. Dash, G., Sen, S., Pradhan, R.K., Ghosh, S., Josileen, J., & Jayasankar, J. (2023). Modeling framework for establishing the power law between length and weight of fishes and a meta-analysis for validation of LWRs for six commercially important marine fishes from the northwestern Bay of Bengal. Fisheries Research, 257, 106496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106496
  5. Federizon, R. (1993). Using vital statistics and survey catch composition data for tropical multispecies fish stock assessment: Application to the demersal resources of the central Philippines (Doctoral dissertation). Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany.
  6. Ferrer, A.J.G. (2009). Evaluation of fisheries management options for the Visayan Sea, Philippines: the case of Northern Iloilo. EEPSEA, IDRC Regional Office for Southeast and East Asia, Singapore, SG.
  7. Froese, R. (2006). Cube law, condition factor and weight–length relationships: History, meta-analysis and recommendations. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 22(4), 241–253. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0426.2006.00805.x
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Fisheries Management, Aquaculture and Fisheries Stock Assessment

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

September 13, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

June 15, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 6, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

APA
Clarito, Q. Y. (2026). Length–weight relationship of the lizardfish Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) from the Visayan Sea, Philippines. Aquatic Research, Advanced Online Publication, 316-307. https://doi.org/10.3153/AR26025
AMA
1.Clarito QY. Length–weight relationship of the lizardfish Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) from the Visayan Sea, Philippines. Aquat Res. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication):316-307. doi:10.3153/AR26025
Chicago
Clarito, Quin Y. 2026. “Length–weight Relationship of the Lizardfish Saurida Tumbil (Bloch, 1795) from the Visayan Sea, Philippines”. Aquatic Research, no. Advanced Online Publication: 316-7. https://doi.org/10.3153/AR26025.
EndNote
Clarito QY (September 1, 2026) Length–weight relationship of the lizardfish Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) from the Visayan Sea, Philippines. Aquatic Research Advanced Online Publication 316–307.
IEEE
[1]Q. Y. Clarito, “Length–weight relationship of the lizardfish Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) from the Visayan Sea, Philippines”, Aquat Res, no. Advanced Online Publication, pp. 316–307, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.3153/AR26025.
ISNAD
Clarito, Quin Y. “Length–weight Relationship of the Lizardfish Saurida Tumbil (Bloch, 1795) from the Visayan Sea, Philippines”. Aquatic Research. Advanced Online Publication (September 1, 2026): 316-307. https://doi.org/10.3153/AR26025.
JAMA
1.Clarito QY. Length–weight relationship of the lizardfish Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) from the Visayan Sea, Philippines. Aquat Res. 2026;:316–307.
MLA
Clarito, Quin Y. “Length–weight Relationship of the Lizardfish Saurida Tumbil (Bloch, 1795) from the Visayan Sea, Philippines”. Aquatic Research, no. Advanced Online Publication, Sept. 2026, pp. 316-07, doi:10.3153/AR26025.
Vancouver
1.Quin Y. Clarito. Length–weight relationship of the lizardfish Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) from the Visayan Sea, Philippines. Aquat Res. 2026 Sep. 1;(Advanced Online Publication):316-07. doi:10.3153/AR26025

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