Stocks delineation of bull’s eye fish (Priacanthus hamrur) in Indian water using morphometric measurements and meristic counts

Abstract

The Moontail bull’s eye (Priacanthus hamrur) is one of the commonly available fish species found in the deep sea and under ledges or hovering next to coral heads during the day. In the present study, around 300 specimens were collected from different location in east and west coast of India including Kakinada, Kolkata, Cochin and Mumbai to investigate the stock differentiation among the populations. A total of 14 morphometric traits and 10 meristic counts were studied. The descriptive statistics of morphometric traits indicated the much larger growth in populations of west coast compares to the east coast. The meristic traits were not much efficient in identifying the stocks. Pre pelvic fin length, post anal fin length, post dorsal length, pre dorsal fin length, head length, eye diameter, body depth, caudal peduncle depth and dorsal fin base helped in the separation of stocks. All the four stocks have separate morphometric features. The present study will provide the baseline information on the stock characteristics of P. hamrur from Indian water and management measures of the resources for sustainable utilization.