Age and growth of the sand lobster Thenus orientalis (Lund) from Bombay waters

Abstract

Age of the sand lobster Thenus orientalis was determined by length frequency distributior using scatter diagram technique. Growth rates of males and females were identical till the first 2 years after which the former recorded higher rate of growth. Males upto 3 and females upto 4.5 years contributed to the comnercial trawl catches. Growth parameters estimated by the von Bertalanffy's growth equation were: L_ = 368 mm, K = 0.1279 and To = - 0.7368 for males and L- = 300 mm, K = 0.1690 and Tn = -0.7 for females. The growtlt pattern was retrogressive geometric throughout the life in this species.