Proper way to size a fish?

[Cich wit it]

I know this is a newbie question, But when everyone says the length of their fish....

Do you measure from mouth to tip of fin or base of fin?

Basically im asking do you include the caudal fin in your measurement?

 

[fisher12889]

I measure from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail. If you look at how fish are measured for records, its always like this. Some people measure from the nose to the base of the tail, but that's not right IMO.

 

[Loves severums]

thats the way i measure my fish.

 

[Cich wit it]

Thanx for the fast response. Thats also the way I measure. Tip to tip. I just wanted to make sure i wasnt giving the wrong measurements since day 1.

 

[bud]

I think in Asia they measure from the snout to base of tail

 

[CTU2fan]

Yep, tip to tip.

 

[honda237]

i eye-ball them, then normally i am wrong. But ya tip to tip.

 

[Bderick67]

Asia? Neither the OP or any of the previous posters are in Asia

Most people are just estimating the length and it is overall with the exception of streamers off the fins or tales. If measuring dry the tail should be fanned and not clamped as this would add extra length.

 

[kdrun76]

In order for a measurement to be accurate or meaningful it should say what the measurement is. Common ones used:

TL= total length (tip to tip) used in law enforcement
SL= standard length (tip of snout to end of spinal column)
SFL= Fork length (tip of snout to the fork of the tail as measured straight across like with a calipers)
CFL= Curved fork length (same as above except done with a soft ruler that followed the contours of the fish's body)

SFL and CFL are often put into a ratio as a measure of fish fitness.

I think most recreational fish keepers and anglers use TL. Scientists use either SL or a version of FL depending on the species of fish being measured. Very few scientists use TL.

 

[Cich wit it]

I guess most of us use TL. I hope my fish dont get arrested. lol. J/K. Thanx for the detailed listing.