Sillaginid fishes of Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar with an account on the maturation and spawning of Indian sand whiting, Sillago sihama (Forsskal)*

Abstract

In the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar 6 specles of the famdy Slllagirudae occurred (Sillago ISillagmopodys) chondropus. Sillago (Sillago) siharna, SiNago (Silfago) mdica, Siiiugo (Parasiliago) vlncenti, Sillago (Parasillago) argentlfascialu and Sillago (Parasillago) soringa A key to the ~ t i e ~ m f l ~ a l ~ o l ~ of these species is given and their morphometnc and menstlc characters ubuldted S ~chamat.h c most dominant sillaginid specles in this reglon, was a prolonged breeder The spawrung season of ths spc~lcs extended from July to February, wlth peak spawnmg actlvlty dunng July to November Lengths at flrs~ maturity of females and males were 179 and 159 mm respectively. Fecundity vaned from 6 956 LO 48 373 and showed high correlation with length, body welght and ovaxy welght of the fish Overall sex ratto indicated predominance of females. Length-related sex ratlo showed significant dominance Gf males till 170 mm and that of females above this length.