First Report on Biometric Analysis of Red Cornetfish Fistularia petimba (Fistulariidae) from Indian Waters

Abstract

The morphometric and meristic characteristics, length-length relationships (LLRs), length-weight relationships (LWRs) and relative condition factor of forty-one individuals of red cornetfish Fistularia petimba were studied for the first time from the North-West coast of India during February to September 2022. The maximum coefficient of variation was observed for inter-orbital length (25.85%) followed by lower jaw length (18.14%) and pectoral-fin length (16.96%). The morphometric index value was found <10% (genetically-controlled characters) for all the morphometric characters except total length with caudal filament length indicating restricted distribution. LLRs revealed isometric growth and high values of correlation coefficient (0.6109–0.9992). The b value of LWRs showed significant departure from 3 (p < 0.05) and hence negative allometric growth was recorded. The high R² value of the LWRs indicates absolute fitness of the growth model and superior health status of the studied species. The mean condition factor value was calculated as 0.99 ± 0.04 indicating that the F. petimba population is in good health. Further, F. petimba is a reef-associated species forming a part of low-value bycatch which is mainly utilized for the preparation of fishmeal. Thus the provided morphometric and biometric information of the species will be useful for further biological, stock assessment and nutritional research in the region.