Investigation on length-weight relationship of Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798) in Kakkaithevu coastal waters in the northern part of Sri Lanka

Abstract

A detailed study on the length-weight relationship of Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798) in Kakkaithevu coastal waters in the northern part of Sri Lanka was conducted from the commercial catches during November 2010 to September 2011. The overall weight of the P. monodon individuals varied between 6.4 g - 46.3 g and the lengths ranged from 96 mm to 189 mm. The regression coefficient “b” and constant “a” tests were performed to compare the b values of males and females from the hypothetical value of 3. The calculated length-weight relationships obtained for male, female and pooled were W=0.0054 L3.0748, W=0.0062 L3.016, W=0.0039 L3.2183, respectively. The “b” value of male (3.0748) and female (3.016) did not differ significantly from the hypothetical value of 3 (p>0.05). The values of both males and females were close to 3, which indicated an approximate isometric growth pattern in P. monodon. The values obtained for the mean weight by sex show that females were significantly (p P. monodon..Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 25 (1): 133-140 (2013)

Keywords

• coastal waters, isometric growth, length-weight relationship, penaeus monodon