“…Validation methods have proven numerous times that when growth conditions are optimal, increments in otoliths of larval, juvenile and adult fish of many species, are formed on a daily basis (Marshall & Parker, 1982;Neilson & Geen, 1982;Ralston & Miyamoto, 1983;Volk et al, 1984;Rice et al, 1985;Jones & Brothers, 1987;Radtke et al, 1988;Dee & Radtke, 1989;Radtke et al, 1989;Radtke & Hourigan, 1990;Adams et al, 1992). It is important to realize which mechanisms affect the rate of increment formation in order to increase the accuracy and value of analyses which rely on this information.…”