Biology of Silverbelly, Photopectoralis bindus (Val. 1835) along Ratnagiri Coast

Abstract

Food and feeding habits, reproduction and size at first maturity of Photopectoralis bindus from Ratnagiri coast are described, based on commercial catches landed by trawls during 2013-2014. Copepods, diatoms and cladocera form important food of the species. The estimated length at first maturity is 93.5 mm. P. bindus is a fractional spawner and appears to release the ova in at least two spawning acts during the peak spawning season extending from October to December. High gonado-somatic indices correspond well with the peak spawning seasons and females always have higher values. The estimated fecundity ranged from 4377 to 10 449.