Maturation and spawning of the whitefish, Lactarius lactarius (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) (Family Lactariidae) along the Karnataka coast, India

摘要

Maturation and spawning of the whitefish, Lactarius lactarius was studied by collecting samples fromudMangalore, Malpe and Karwar landing centres. Monthly Gonado-Somatic Index values of males andudfemales were found to increase from August and reach the highest in February indicating breeding activities.udThe Kn values showed an increasing trend from October reaching a minor peak in February whichudcoincides with the peak spawning.. Higher percentage of fully mature testes and ovaries occurred duringudNovember-April indicating peak spawning activities. Kn values were the lowest in the length group 130-139 mm for both males and females. Length at first maturity was determined as 131 mm for males and 133 mm females. Sex ratio indicates dominance of males up to 155 mm and females were present above 215 mm only. Fecundity varied from 7,042 to 53,275 eggs. Relationship of fecundity to ovary weight,udbody weight and total length exhibited a linear trend.