Swimbladder Morphology and Target Strength of a Mesopelagic Fish, Maurolicus japonicus

Abstract

The relationship of target strength (TS), tilt angle and the effect of swimbladder resonance were examined using a theoretical scattering model for Maurolicus japonicus (30.4-46.8 mm standard length (SL)) at 38 kHz and 120 kHz, based on swimbladder measurements. The effect of tilt angle on TS was seen at 120 kHz, but was minimal at 38 kHz. The effect of resonance on TS was clear at 38 kHz, but was minimal at 120 kHz. This was due to the small size (average 11 % of SL) and oval shape with a relatively high aspect ratio (average 0.48) of the swimbladder. Considering the effect of resonance, the TS-SL relationships at 38 kHz were estimated: TS = 10.0 log 10 SL − 61.3 at 200 m depth. Considering the effect of tilt angle, the average TS (TS avg) −SL relationship at 120 kHz was estimated: TS avg = 16.5 log 10 SL − 75.1.