Biometric studies on Greater lizard fish <i>Saurida tumbil</i> (Bloch, 1795) along Ratnagiri coast of Maharashtra

Abstract

Length-weight relationship, morphometric and meristic characters of Greater lizard fish <i>Saurida tumbil</i> (Bloch, 1795) fom Ratnagiri waters off Maharashtra, India were investigated by studying 585 specimens (190 males and 395 females). The length-weight relationship was established as W= 0.0000078L^2.9842 for males, W=0.0000116L^2.914 for females and W=0.00001031 L^2.9352 for pooled data, indicating isometric growth. Coefficient of correlation (r) for the length-weight relationship was high. Fifteen morphometric characters exhibited high level of correlation ranging from 0.87- 0.99. Based on the studies conducted on meristic characters, the fin formula of <i>S. tumbil</i> can be written as B_15-16, P_14-16, V₉, D_11-14, C_19-21, A_9-13, L_53-58.