Feeding habits and reproductive biology of the rabbitfish, Siganusvermiculatus, along the central west coast of India
Volume 65 Issue 1
S. Y. Metar, V. H. Nirmale, Udai Gurjar, M. M. Shirdhankar, V. R. Sadawarte, N. D. Chogale, A. N. Sawant, K. M. Shinde, S. B. Satam, A. U. Pagarkar and P. E. Shingare
doi:10.6024/jmbai.2023.65.1.2376-10
Abstract
Rabbitfishes are commercially important, and the aquaculture sector is interested in them because of their fast growth, herbivorous habits, and good market price. An attempt was made to understand the feeding and reproductive biology of vermiculate rabbitfish, Siganus vermiculatus, along the Ratnagiri coast, which lies central to the west coast of India. S.vermiculatus feed mainly on algae (filamentous algae, seaweeds) during most of the year, along the Ratnagiri coast. The majority of mature fish were with empty stomachs or with little food during active spawning. The highest monthly GSI was from February to March for females and December to March for males. Throughout the year, a significant difference (P<0.05) was noted in the sex ratio with the dominance of females in the population. The length at first maturity of males and females was estimated at 28.13 cm and 32.73 cm, respectively. S. vermiculatus is highly fecund with fecundity ranging from 7,80,136 to 12,56,674 eggs. This information on food and feeding habits, sex ratio, maturity size, and reproductive potential will be helpful to develop culture practices of this species along the studied region.
