liminfoFishBase Reference
Free reference guide: FishBase Reference
About FishBase Reference
The FishBase Reference is a searchable quick-reference guide for FishBase, the world's largest online database of finfish species. It covers essential data categories including species taxonomy, morphology and morphometrics, geographic distribution, habitat preferences, trophic ecology, reproductive biology, growth parameters (von Bertalanffy), and aquaculture information across more than 35,000 species and 325,000 scientific names.
This reference organizes FishBase concepts into nine clearly structured categories: Overview, Taxonomy, Morphology, Ecology, Nutrition, Reproduction, Growth, Uses, and Conservation. Each entry provides the data field name, its description, and a concrete example showing typical values such as length-weight relationships (W = a * L^b), trophic levels, IUCN Red List status codes, and rfishbase R package queries.
Designed for ichthyologists, marine biologists, fisheries scientists, aquaculture professionals, and ecology students, this tool lets you quickly locate FishBase field definitions, understand data formats like Species Summary pages, and reference parameters used in population dynamics models. All content loads instantly in your browser with no installation or account required.
Key Features
- Covers all major FishBase data categories: taxonomy, morphology, ecology, nutrition, reproduction, growth, uses, and conservation
- Includes von Bertalanffy growth parameters (Linf, K, t0) and length-weight relationship coefficients (a, b)
- References trophic level calculations, diet composition percentages, and food item listings by taxon
- Documents IUCN Red List conservation status categories from NE through EX with clear definitions
- Provides rfishbase R package code examples for programmatic data access and batch species queries
- Covers aquaculture data including FCR values, stocking densities, major producing countries, and disease information
- Explains spawning parameters such as fecundity, egg diameter, degree-days for hatching, and maturity length (Lm)
- Searchable and filterable across all nine categories with instant results on any device
Frequently Asked Questions
What information does this FishBase reference cover?
This reference covers all major FishBase data fields organized into nine categories: Overview (database scope, species search, rfishbase), Taxonomy (classification, common names, synonyms), Morphology (body shape, morphometrics, coloration), Ecology (distribution, habitat, biology, predators, parasites), Nutrition (trophic level, diet composition, food items), Reproduction (spawning, fecundity, maturity), Growth (von Bertalanffy parameters, length-weight relationships, population dynamics), Uses (fisheries, aquaculture), and Conservation (IUCN status, genetics).
How do I use the rfishbase R package examples in this reference?
The reference includes ready-to-use R code snippets for the rfishbase package. After installing with install.packages("rfishbase"), you can query species lists by family, retrieve morphology data, access ecology information, and pull growth estimates. Each code example shows the exact function call and expected input parameters.
What are the von Bertalanffy growth parameters shown in the reference?
The von Bertalanffy growth equation Lt = Linf * (1 - exp(-K * (t - t0))) describes fish growth over time. Linf is the asymptotic length, K is the growth coefficient (per year), and t0 is the theoretical age at zero length. The reference provides typical parameter ranges and notes that values vary by sex and region.
How does FishBase classify trophic levels?
Trophic levels in FishBase are calculated based on diet composition data. Level 2.0 indicates herbivores, 3.0 indicates primary predators, 4.0 indicates secondary predators, and 4.5+ indicates apex predators. Each species entry includes the trophic level value with its standard error.
What IUCN conservation status categories are explained?
The reference covers all IUCN Red List categories: NE (Not Evaluated), LC (Least Concern), NT (Near Threatened), VU (Vulnerable), EN (Endangered), CR (Critically Endangered), EW (Extinct in the Wild), and EX (Extinct). Each category is defined with its assessment criteria context.
Can I find aquaculture production data in this reference?
Yes. The aquaculture section covers global production volumes, culture methods (ponds, recirculating systems, cage culture), feed conversion ratios (FCR), optimal stocking densities, common diseases (IHN, VHS, bacterial kidney disease), and major producing countries such as Chile, Norway, Iran, and Turkey.
What morphometric data fields are covered?
The reference includes maximum and common total length (TL), maximum weight, standard length to total length ratios (SL/TL), head length to body length ratios, and eye diameter to head length ratios. It also covers fin formula notation, scale counts along the lateral line, and body shape classifications.
Is this reference suitable for fisheries population modeling?
Yes. The reference includes population dynamics parameters such as natural mortality rate (M), fishing mortality (F), exploitation rate (E = F/(F+M)), generation time, and intrinsic rate of natural increase (r). Combined with growth parameters and length-weight relationships, these are the core inputs for stock assessment models.