Biology of the Hunter Shrimp Exhippolysrnata ensirostris (Kemp) from Maharashtra Coast

Abstract

E. ensirostris, one of the components of non-penaeid prawns in Maharashtra, attains the size of 60 mm in the 1" y and 90 mm in the 2nd y. The testicular part of ovotestis does not get atrophied in higher lengths and the species functions as a regular hermaphrodite throughout. The absolute crop for an individual is estimated to be generally above 5,000 in number. An individual spawns once continuously in a number of batches. Spawning activity appears to reach its height in the size 66-80 mm.