Occurrence of milkfish Chanos chanos (Forsskal) postlarvae in the continental slope northwest of Cochin, as collected by FORV Sagar Sampada

Abstract

Postlarvae of Chanos chanos were collected in April 1985 by FORV Sagar Sampada from the continental slope at a distance of 52 km off Cochin where the depth to bottom measured 1,125 m. Three stages of development were available, measuring 5.23, 8.38 and 8.36 mm in total length, which are about 3 to 10 days old and hitherto undescribed from India. The diagnostic characters by which the present postlarvae can be distinguished from those of allied groups such as Elops, Megalops and Clupeidae are given. The present record highlights their occurrence in the oceanic regions thereby suggesting that the spawning grounds of this fish might extend to such distant and deep areas.