Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Maturation and spawning of the whitefish, Lactarius lactarius (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) (Family Lactariidae) along the Karnataka coast, India

Volume 49 Issue 2

1P. U. Zacharia and 2N. Jayabalan

Abstract

Maturation and spawning of the whitefish, Lactarius lactarius was studied by collecting samples from Mangalore, Malpe and Karwar landing centres. Monthly Gonado-Somatic Index values of males and females were found to increase from August and reach the highest in February indicating breeding activities. The Kn values showed an increasing trend from October reaching a minor peak in February which coincides with the peak spawning.. Higher percentage of fully mature testes and ovaries occurred during November-April indicating peak spawning activities. Kn values were the lowest in the length group 130-139 mm for both males and females. Length at first maturity was determined as 131 mm for males and 133 mm females. Sex ratio indicates dominance of males up to 155 mm and females were present above 215 mm only. Fecundity varied from 7,042 to 53,275 eggs. Relationship of fecundity to ovary weight, body weight and total length exhibited a linear trend.

Keywords

Maturation and spawning, Gonado-Somatic Index, fecundity, size at first maturity, Relative

Date : 22-07-2008