Biology of Acetes indicus Milne Edwards in Bombay waters

Abstract

Biology of Acetes indicus was investigated from coastal waters of Bombay during January 1981 to March 1983. Total length of males and females ranged between 8-25 and 8-36 mm respectively, exhibiting growth rates of 6.02 and 5.83 mm per month. The lifespan of the species was 4-6 months. The lengthweight relationship was LogW=1.9925 + 2.9698 LogL for the males and females together. The relationship between total length and carapace length was calculated as C = 0.3828 + 0.2185L. The species subsists mainly on detritus and planktonic organisms by filter feeding mechanism. The size at first maturity was 14-15 mm for males and 17 mm for females. It breeds throughout the year with peak during September- January period. The sex ratio exhibited dominance of males until 20-21 mm size and females thereafter. Fecundity has been estimated to be 4,333-10,300 for females in the size range 19-33 mm.