Breeding seasonality of Anodontostoma chacunda (Hamilton, 1822) off Mangalore coast, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Clupeids support world’s largest marine fishery and dominant pelagic group landing from Indian waters. Even though landings of marine sector increased, the quantity of fish landing is dwindled and fluctuating and capture fish production is dependent on one of the natural biological factors “reproduction”. To increase the production potential of marine fisheries, studies on breeding seasonality with reproductive biology of fish is an essential precursor for eco-friendly rational exploitation and sustainable management of fisheries. The present study focuses on some of the important reproductive biology aspects of <em>Anodontostoma chacunda </em>along the Mangalore coast for the first time. Six maturity stages were classified based on macroscopic appearance. Gonado-Somatic Index (GSI) indicated protracted spawning which extended from September (2013) to April (2014) with evidence of ova diameter studies as a prolonged spawner. The size at first maturity of <em>A. chacunda</em> was estimated at 139 mm (TL) and 141 mm (TL) for male and female, respectively. The overall male-female sex ratio of 1:1.04 was skewed towards female in <em>A. chacunda </em>and differed among months and size classes. Fecundity of <em>A. chacunda </em>ranged between 2,97,457 to 11,44,871 eggs.