Studies on the reproductive biology of Indian Sand Whiting <i style="">Sillago sihama</i> (Forsskal)

Abstract

<i style="">Sillago sihama</i> have a prolonged breeding season from June to December, with spawning activity peaked during the period of September to November. Length at first maturity stage was found to vary between 155-164 mm (total length) in both sexes. Although overall sex ratio indicated predominance of female, Chi-square test (<i>x</i>²)showed no significant difference throughoutthe year. Fecundity varied from 11,376 to 103,695 per fish, is significantly correlated with total length (r = 0.85, r &lt; 0.01), body weight (r = 0.88, r &lt; 0.01) and ovary weight (r = 0.87, r &lt; 0.01).