Larval growth, age, growth effect and instantaneous mortality were estimated in anchoveta, Engraulis ringens, collected biweekly during the austral winter of 2014 in nearshore waters off Bay of Antofagasta (23°41′W–70°30′S), northern Chile. Through measuring standard length (SL) and sagitta microstructure analysis, it was estimated that the growth rate of E. ringens larvae decreased from June (0.85 mm day−1) to August (0.50 mm day−1). However, the water temperature was homogeneous during the sampling dates (14.6, 15.2, 14.4, and 14.6°C), suggesting that the decelerating larval growth was not linked to changes in sea temperature. Additionally, larvae with slow growth have larger otoliths compared with conspecifics with fast growth (growth effect). Larval mortality rates tended to decrease until the middle of July (0.18 per day) but increased to 0.25 per day in early August, which coincided with lower food availability (i.e., chlorophyll‐a, 2.7–5.6 mg m−3) and a high occurrence of smaller larvae (1.58–11.5 mm). Partial least squares analysis indicates low covariance between the biological and oceanographic variables (PLS: 11.71%), suggesting that other factors, such as parental effects, may explain the abrupt decrease in the larval growth rates.

The interannual variation

Recent studies using otolith microstructure analysis have suggested that the duration of the juvenile stage in anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) is shorter than previously suspected, which suggests that the ages being entered into the traditional age-based stock assessment are incorrect. However, the interpretation of young pelagic fish otoliths remains problematic. To clarify the age interpretation of larval and juvenile E. ringens, newly hatched larvae were reared in a quasi-natural environment for periods of up to 103 days. The sagittal otoliths were subsequently examined and measured by international otolith experts in a double-blind workshop study. The young anchovy could be aged both accurately and precisely using otolith microstructure, after measures were taken to correct for unresolvable increments formed immediately after hatch. The presence of a fast-growth transition zone characterised by either considerable splitting or subdaily increments or both was confirmed. This study confirms the hypothesis of rapid growth and young age through the juvenile stage for anchoveta, suggesting that a critical appraisal of the annual age determinations used as the basis for anchoveta stock assessment is warranted. The otolith interpretation principles outlined in this study may apply broadly across many small pelagic fish species.