Comparison of Assessment Methods for Rock Bass Age Structure
Advisor(s)
Dr. Elizabeth Tristano
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
24-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
24-4-2026 12:50 PM
Abstract
Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) are a warm-water centrarchid found in freshwaters across east-central North America. Very little is known about the species as they were last studied in 1941. It is known that you can use various hard parts of fish for aging to help better understand the age structure of a population. The variation in aging different hard parts has not yet been studied in rock bass. To address this, we collected fish from the Ottawa River via backpack electrofishing methods. Otoliths, spines, and scales were pulled and used to estimate age in the lab. Once ages were determined, we compared the three methods by looking at VonBertalanffy growth curves generated by each hard part. We will use this comparison to better understand age and growth in Ohio rock bass populations.
Recommended Citation
Buzdon, Abigail M. and Tristano, Elizabeth, "Comparison of Assessment Methods for Rock Bass Age Structure" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 69.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Posters/69
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Comparison of Assessment Methods for Rock Bass Age Structure
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) are a warm-water centrarchid found in freshwaters across east-central North America. Very little is known about the species as they were last studied in 1941. It is known that you can use various hard parts of fish for aging to help better understand the age structure of a population. The variation in aging different hard parts has not yet been studied in rock bass. To address this, we collected fish from the Ottawa River via backpack electrofishing methods. Otoliths, spines, and scales were pulled and used to estimate age in the lab. Once ages were determined, we compared the three methods by looking at VonBertalanffy growth curves generated by each hard part. We will use this comparison to better understand age and growth in Ohio rock bass populations.