Studies on the age determination of 'Ghol',Pseudosciaena diacanthus (Lacepede)by means of scales and otoliths

Abstract

The fact that tropical fishes also show periodical growth checks (rings) on their discrete hard parts has been demonstrated in a few Indian species (Nair, 1949; Seshappa and Bhimachar, 1951, 1954, 1955; Pillai, 1954; Radhakrishnan,1954, 1957; Sarojini, 1957; Jhingran, 1957; Seshappa, 1958 and Balan, 1959). Work on the biology and fishery of Pseudosciaena diacanthus occurring in the waters off Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts was started by the present author in March, 1958 and during the course of two years study, it has been found that the scales and otoliths of this species show growth checks (rings) which can be utilised for the determination of age and growth as was indicated by Seshappa (1953).