GROWTH STATUS OF SCATOPHAGUS ARGUS (LINNAEUS, 1766) ALONG KARACHI COAST, PAKISTAN
Abstract
Growth status of Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus, 1766) was investigated in present the study. For this purpose, condition factor (K) and relative condition factor (Kn) was investigated for juvenile, adult and combined specimens of S. argus. A total of 282 specimens of different sizes were collected from the fish harbours of West Wharf and Korangi creek, Karachi Pakistan. The values obtained for condition factor ranged from 1.95 to 3.70 for juveniles and from 2.08 to 2.66 for adults while, 1.95 to 3.70 for combined specimens. The mean values of condition factor were observed as 2.80 ± 0.05, 2.34 ± 0.03 and 2.59 ± 0.04 for juvenile, adult and combined specimens, respectively. However, the values of relative condition factor (Kn) fell between 0.90 to 1.84 for juveniles, from 0.79 to 1.17 for adults and from 0.79 to 1.84 for combined specimens. Whereas, the mean relative condition factor was obtained as 1.10 ± 0.03, 0.98 ± 0.02 and 1.05 ± 0.02 for juvenile, adult and combined specimens, respectively. The values of K and Kn were greater than ideal values. It indicated that S. argus may be in good condition at Karachi coast, Pakistan
