Age and growth of cobia,<i> Rachycentron canadum</i> (Linnaeus, 1766) occurring in North West coast of India

Abstract

An attempt is made to provide information on age and growth of cobia inhabiting in Indian waters. Growth parameters L_∞ and  K were estimated following five methods. Age at zero length (t_o) was estimated following von Bertalanffy plot. VBGF equation was fitted using various parameters and the equation thus arrived at was Lt = 194.25 (1-e ^{–0.24(t—0.1567}). By Fitting length at first maturity of cobia to the VBGF equation age at first maturity of male and female was estimated at 1.48 and 1.71years respectively. Present study estimated L_max at 181 cm and life span of cobia was estimated at 12.48 years. Growth parameters estimated by the present study were compared with the available estimates round world and interferences were derived.