Ornamental fish resources of Lakshadweep

Abstract

In the lagoons of Lakshadweep islands, omamental fishes of the families Labridae, Pomacentridae, Serranidae, Acanthuridae, Chaetodontidae, Callyodontidae, Mullidae, Balistidae, Holocentridae, Canthigasteridae, Pomacanthidae and Zanclidae, represented by a total of 191 species are important. Preliminary estimates show that Kalpeni has the largest population size, followed by Amini, Kadamat, Chetlat, Kavaratti, Agatti, Kiltan and Bitra; population per hectare was found to be highest in Amini, followed by Chetlat, Kalpeni, Kiltan, Kadamat, Kavaratti, Bitra and Agatti. Certain measures for sustainable exploitation of omamental fishes are indicated