Biometric analysis of Whipfin silverbiddy, Gerres filamentosus Cuvier, 1829 from Ratnagiri coast of Maharashtra, India

Abstract

The Whipfin silverbiddy, Gerres filamentosus Cuvier, 1829 is exploited by beach seines, bottom trawls, long lines, stake nets and gillnets at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. Morphometric characters, Length-Weight Relationship (LWR) and condition factor of the G. filamentosus were studied from 506 specimens comprising 242 males, 229 females and 35 indeterminants. The coefficient of correlation of total length against other morphometric characters of G. filamentosus ranged between 0.807 (vs. snout length) to 0.994 (vs. standard length). All morphometric measures had a high and moderate degree of correlation with total length. The LWR indicated positive allometric growth. The coefficient of correlation (r) for the LWR was estimated at 0.9824, 0.9760, 0.9839 and 0.9826 for the males, females, indeterminants and pooled data, respectively. Furthermore, the condition factor indicated that the species remained in good condition throughout the year for both sexes, except during August.