Morphometrics, growth pattern and condition factor of Periophthalmus chrysospilos Bleeker, 1853 (Gobiiformes: Oxudercidae) living in the Mekong Delta

Abstract

Periophthalmus chrysospilos is an amphibious fish and considered candidates of typical aquarium fish in the Mekong Delta (MD), Vietnam. It is a species that is facing overfishing. Unfortunately, the data on its length-weight relationship (LWR), growth pattern, and condition factor are limited. The present study lasted from April 2020 to March 2021 to contribute knowledge of these data. A collection of 1,031 specimens (508 females and 523 males) was obtained from estuarine and coastal regions. The results showed that the fish total length (TL) and weight (W) were significantly different between sexes, seasons, and sites. In order to determine LWRs, weights of males and females in two sizes, seasons, four sites, and twelve months were estimated from the fish given lengths. The species displayed temporal variation in growth patterns as b values ranged from 2.87 ± 0.12 SE to 3.46 ± 0.07 SE. It generally showed positive allometric growth as b (3.22 ± 0.02 SE) was higher than the threshold of three. The fish body conditional factor was close to the well-being value of one and was not influenced by sex, but by season, site and month variations. The findings concluded that the species was well adapted to its habitat.

Keywords

• Length-weight relationship
• Mudskipper
• Mudflat
• Positive allometry
• Vietnam