Age and growth of the mullets, Liza suhviridis, L. carinata, and Valamugil cunnesius (Family: Mugilidae) from sandspit backwaters along Karachi coast (northern Arabian Sea)

Abstract

This paper reports age and growth of the mullets Liza sub viridis, L. carinata, and Valamugil cunnesius ranging from
115 to 199 mm, 110 to 190 mm and 134 to 194 mm in total length, respectively, sampled from the backwaters of sandspit
during July 1991 to July 1993. The length-weight relationship of Liza subviridism, 1.. carinata and Valaniugil cunnesius, indicated that the growth was isometric. Condition factor was directly proportional to the weight or length of the fishes. Age on the basis of daily otolith growth increments suggested that L. subviridist L. carinata and v: cunnesius, may be considered to have 1 year of lifespan in the sludy area. Growth in length was expressed for the species with von Bertalanffy's equation. No significant difference was noted among the growth parameters of L sub viridis L. carinata and V. cunnesius.