Length-weight relationship of Benthosema pterotum (myctophid) in the deep scattering layer (DSL) of the eastern Arabian Sea

Abstract

The samples were collected by using Isaac Kid-Midwater Trawl (IKMT) onboard FORV Sagar Sampada during the deep scattering layer (DSL) survey from 1998-2000 of the eastern Arabian Sea (AS). Length-weight (LW) relationships have been carried out for the most commonly occurring myctophid species Benthosema pterotum of the DSL. The LW relationship was W = 0.00000753 L 3.13145 (r= 0.973708) for males and W = 0.000007379 L 3.13529 (r = 0.974880) for females. From the studies it has been noticed that growth in relation to length and weight deviate appreciably from the cube law. It is also found that there are no significant differences between males and females of the species.