Length‐Weight Relationship (LWR), Growth estimation and Length at maturity of Eleutheronema tetradactylus in the Chilika Lagoon, India

Abstract

An attempt was made to study the lengthâ€weight relationship (LWR), growth and length at 50% maturity (L50) of Eleuthronema tetradactylus (Sahala) in Chilika lagoon, which will helpful for the future management of the stocks as well as the lagoon. For LWR study, a total of 255 fish specimens collected from April 2008 to May 2009 of which fork length (FL) and body weight (BW) were measured to the nearest 0.1cm and 0.01g respectively. The equation, y = 4Eâ€06x3.115 found from the study where the computed condition factor (a), growth coefficient (b) and regression coefficient (r2) were 4Eâ€06, 3.115 and 0.996 respectively. In total, 3356 number of specimen measured to study growth of the species. The estimated growth parameters found from von Bertalanffy Growth Function (VBGF) i.e., Linf(cm), K, and t0 were 78.1cm, 0.15, and â€0.47 respectively. Logistic equations used to estimate the length at 50% maturity (L50) of a total of 68 specimens, sampled from April 2008 to May 2009. The estimated L50 was 315mmFL.