This dataset includes the average and standard deviation of the width of fish vertebrae, the number of observations per sample and a preservation index of fish vertebrae obtained from core M77/2-024-5. Sediment core M77/2-024-5 (11°05.01'S; 78°00.91'W) was collected at 210 meters depth off Peru during Meteor expedition M77/2 in 2008 (Meteor station No. M772/677). The measurements of the vertebrae widths were determined in 60 samples along core M77/2-024-5 from 1093 to 1388 cm depth corresponding to 110.7 to 137.8 kyr BP. The widths of the complete vertebrae per sample were measured and the average per sample is presented in this dataset. The preservation index of fish vertebrae estimates the surface of the vertebrae that is not affected by bio-erosion. This index was calculated per each vertebra, and ranges from 1 to 4. An average per sample interval was done to calculate the biodegradation index where higher values indicate better preservation of the fish vertebrae remains.