Biometric analysis of oil sardine, <i>Sardinella longiceps</i> (Valenciennes, 1847) from Mumbai coast of Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Measurements of 785 specimens consisting of 378 male and 407 female were recorded during August 2013 to May 2014. The size of males ranged from 107 to 203 mm and weighed between 9.63 to 67.61g, while of females, ranged from 109 to 208 mm in length and 7.98 to 66.45g in weight. Among the compared characters, coefficient of correlation (r) was highest for total length against standard length (0.9597) and lowest for head length against body depth (0.7422). Based on the present investigation on meristic characters, the fin formula can be written as B_5-6D_14-18 P_12-16 V_8-9A_12-16C_20-26. The length-weight relationship was established as W= 0.000001609 L^3.3209 for male, W=0 .000001517 L^3.3378 for female and W= 0.000001474 L^3.3408 for pooled, indicating positive allometric relationship. However, condition factor suggested the species to be in average condition throughout the year in both sexes except the month of May.