Age and Growth of Squirrel Fish, Sargocentron Rubrum, (Forsskal, 1775) from Cuddalore Waters, Southeast Coast of India

Indian Journal of Geo Marine Sciences Vol.45 (12), December 2016, pp. 1742-1748

Age and growth of squirrel fish, Sargocentron rubrum, (Forsskal, 1775) from Cuddalore waters, Southeast coast of India

1# 1 2 1 1 1 Anbalagan.T , A.Murugan , P. Jawahar , P. Vijayanand , R.Saravanan & N.Veerappan

1Faculty of Marine Science, CAS in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, Tamilnadu – 608 502, India. 2Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi, Tamilnadu, India. # [E.Mail: [email protected]]

Received 15 October 2012; revised 26 April 2013

Age and growth of the squirrelfish, Sargocentron rubrum was determined based on the length frequency data collected from Cuddalore waters, southeast coast of India. Biological information was recorded from 1128 individuals, which includes 464 males and 664 females. Length data were analyzed using the FiSAT software package that is mainly used for determining the age through indirect method (Mathematical calculation). Significant differences could be noticed between sexes in terms of length at age and estimated parameters that portrayed males growing larger than females (P<0.05). Estimated parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth function for the pooled data was Lt=24.43cmTL [1-exp (-1.18year-1 (t-0.1417)] for males and Lt=23.63cmTL [1-exp (-1.15 year-1 (t-0.1468)] for females.

[Keywords: Squirrel fish, Sargocentron rubrum, age and growth, von Bertalanffy growth function, southeast coast] Introduction gill nets coupled with skin diving and coral reef fish Growth in fishes is a result of the processes trap for live marine ornamental fish trade is being in tending to increase the body mass1. Knowledge on the practice from Indian waters. Sargocentron rubrum is age and growth of fishes is of utmost importance in a small – sized fish with a size range of 7 to 24.5 cm, understanding longevity, population structure and which occurs all along the east coast of India9. For dynamics of the stock and role played by various year most the squirrel fishes studies information on the classes in the fishery2. Studies on age and growth of fishery characteristic and biology and very much fishes are useful in understanding the life span of fish, limited. Although, some aspects of the biology of this environmental condition and the age at first sexual fish have been studied earlier10, 11&12, there is no maturity1. Growth of fishes has often been specified published information on the age and growth of this by a mathematical curve or equation fitted to species from Indian waters. Previous studies on age observation points and they reveal stability and small and growth of S. rubrum has been made from Israel range of pattern among individuals and population3-6. and Syrian waters10,12. Aim of this study was Determination of age and mathematical description of therefore, to estimate the age and growth of S.rubrum growth is perhaps the most complicated and using size frequency analysis. However, a lack of controversial matter in biological sciences, whereas biological data, particularly on age and growth rates, this method is most widely practiced in tropical prevents definitive assessment of the status of the waters7. resource13,14. Such knowledge is crucial for analyzing The squirrel fish (Family: Holocentridae) the reproductive strategy of the fish and development supports a diverse group of economically important of resource management plans. commercial and recreational fishes widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters. They mainly Materials and Methods inhabit in coral reef and rocky region, whereas they Squirrelfish, Sargocentron rubrum specimens have been fished from depth range of 5 to 85m8. were collected on monthly basis from bottom trawl Commercial catch of squirrel fish in bottom trawl nets fisheries in Cuddalore landing center, South east coast for protein source and collection of these fishes using of India (Fig.1), from January to December 2008. INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 45, NO. 12, DECEMBER 2016 1743

obtained through the non-parametric method passes through the most number of modes, giving estimates of L∞ and K 16,17 &18. Von Bertalanffy’s equation to calculate the length at age data was expressed as Lt + 1 –K -K 19 = L [(1-e) + Lt – e ] . Growth performance 20 index was calculated by the equation ø' = log10 (K) + 2·log10(L).One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)was used to assess the differences between the sex in terms of growth obtained on yearly basis21.

Results In Sargocentron rubrum, small sized (7.5cm) females were dominant during the month of March where as the largest one was represented during the Fig. 1- Map showing Cuddalore landing center month of October (23.4cm). For males the smallest Totally 1128 specimens (Males 464-; females 664) size group was represented during March (7.2cm) and were analyzed for growth studies. The total length of the largest during October (23.7cm). Analysis using the fish was measured to the nearest cm from the tip Powell – Wetherall’s method (Fig. 2) revealed that the of snout to the tip of the caudal fin. Size ranges from L∞ values for males and females of S. rubrum as 7.0 to 24.5 cm for males and 7.0 to 23.9cm for 24.40cmTL [r= -0.998 regression equation, Y=9.41+ females were recorded during the survey period. Size (-0.386)* x] and 23.13cm TL [r=-1.000 regression frequency data were collected on monthly basis and equation Y=10.26 + (-0.444)* x] and Z/K obtained

Fig.2- Powell-Wetherall plot of S. rubrum (a.Males, b. Females). the yearly collected data were pooled together and was 1.59 and 1.25 respectively. The computed growth classified under different subclasses with an interval curves of S. rubrum obtained with these parameters of 1cm. VBGF curve obtained was fitted to the have been shown over the restructured length monthly length frequency data using the ELEFAN distribution of individual species (Fig. 3). Based on routine in the FiSAT computer package15. Curve the VBGF calculation the obtained asymptotic length 1744 ANBALAGAN et al.: AGE AND GROWTH OF SQUIRREL FISH, SARGOCENTRON RUBRUM

Fig. 3 - VBGF curve of S.rubrum with normal length-frequency histograms (a.Males, b. Females).

(L∞) for male and female was 24.43cm (TL) and estimated growth rate (K), which is generally 23.63cm (TL) respectively. The ‘Rn’ value for the inversely correlated to L∞, was higher in males than growth curve for male and female was 0.373 and the females. This growth equation was fitted to 0.342 respectively. calculate the growth rates in S. rubrum. Based on the The optimized growth parameters (L∞ and K ) values of parameters, the equation for growth of S. - and the goodness of fit index (Rn) obtained for males rubrum can be written as Male: Lt(cm) = 24.43[1-e 1.18(t-0.1417) -1.15(t- and females of S. rubrum using ELEFAN I method in ] and for females: Lt(cm) = 23.63[1-e FiSAT II package are provided (Table 1). Growth 0.1468)].This equation for calculating fish growth seems parameters obtained for males and females of S. to be best suited because it was is an expression of rubrum by Appeldoorn’s method using the growth biological interactions22. increment data are graphically represented (Fig.4). This growth equation for calculating fish growth Through this method the asymptotic length in the wild population seems to be best studied by obtained for males and females of S. rubrum was many researchers1,5,16. To follow the growth rate trend 25cm and 23.63 cm and the growth co-efficient K was during the life span, the length-at-age data were 1.2 and 1.1 yr-1 respectively. On the other hand, the calculated from the von Bertalanffy growth function.

Table. 1- Growth parameters of males and females of Sargocentron rubrum obtained from different methods from length frequency data

1745 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 45, NO. 12, DECEMBER 2016

Fig. 4 -Appeldoorn’s plot of S.rubrum (a.Males, b. Females)

Fig. 5-The growth data obtained age at length of S.rubrum

Growth data obtained in the present study shows that history differences26&27 or variation in environmental S. rubrum male and female have a life span of about quality28. The results obtained here for S. rubrum will 3.5+ years (Fig. 5). Male attains a length of 18.08cm, improve our knowledge on the biology and the life 22.48cm, 23.83cm during first, second and third years history traits of this species and contribute to a better whereas female attains a length of 17.31cm, 21.63cm growth modeling for biological studies. Results and 23.0cm during the above period, suggesting that provide information about the growth rate of S. males growing at slightly faster rate than the females. rubrum using VBGF which must be taken into Estimated growth performance index (Ø’) values for account carefully. It has been evidenced that VBGF males and females of S. rubrum were 2.848 and 2.808 for growth rate in similar species varies when the respectively. Ø’ value is an index for comparing the stocks are studied spatially with regard to growth growth performance of organisms in terms of their parameters29. growth length. The empirical length at different ages described by von Bertalanffy growth equation is almost in parity Discussion with the estimates from other methods. Theoretical Estimating the growth rates of fish population is growth equation adequately describes the actual 16 often an important component of ecological or growth . In the present study, growth parameters L∞ fisheries studies23. Variation in growth of a stock may and K estimated by Powell-Wetherall methods, be due to differences in competitive ability24&25 life Appeldoorn’s method and ELEFAN I are comparable. 1746 ANBALAGAN et al.: AGE AND GROWTH OF SQUIRREL FISH, SARGOCENTRON RUBRUM

Growth parameters obtained are reasonable since the however in the present study the maximum size theoretical maximum length value is higher than the observed for S. rubrum was 244mm from Cuddalore size of the largest fish sampled 24.4cm for males and waters (South east coast of India). 23.13cm for females. The present study reveals that the growth of In the same approach, different growth rates for females was slower than the males, whereas the both sexes have been reported on coral reef fishes like occurrence of larger males was in considerable Pomacanthus imperator having von Bertalanffy number when compared to large females recorded. 1 parameters L∞= 411.9 mm, K = 0.067 years− , and t0 Similar findings were observed for S. rubrum = −0.9130. In the case of the file fish, Stephanolepis collected from Eastern Mediterranean coast12. hispidus asymptotic lengths calculated was 25.7 and However the differential growth between the sexes 27.4 cm for females and males which were collected might be due to biological parameters and further from Canary Islands31. The seahorse Hippocampus research in this aspect is needed to address this issue. trimaculatus collected from Gulf of Mannar region Proximity of the value obtained for L∞to the Lmax (Southeast coast of India) had an life span around 3 (maximum size observed in catches)value irrespective years and the K value was 0.49, L∞ was 162mm and – of sex might be due to the reliance of L∞ derivation 32 t0 was -0.07 . The reef fish moon wrasse, Thalassoma based on the size group that is fully recruited by the lunare had a life span of 4 to 4 .5 years with a K value gear. 33 of 0.1881, L∞ = 323. 6268mm and –t0 was 1.7322 . Although the information on growth and age data In Siganus sutor the L∞ was around 35cm with an K for temperate and tropical marine fish species is large value of 0.9 on annual basis34, however in the and expanding, little work have been done in the Madeira scorpionfish, Scorpaena maderensis the family Holocentrids, including S. rubrum. Based on asymptotic length L∞ (cm) and K (year-1) was 9.6, von Bertalanffy estimates for the squirrel fish, S. 0.44 for females, 14.8, and 0.23 for males diadema the obtained growth values are L∞ = 36 41 respectively . 168mm; K = 1.13 and t0-3.91 , whereas similar In general, the growth rate of S. rubrum was results were also reported in Holocentrus diadema (L∞ nd found to be high during the first year 18.08cm, 2 = 153mm, K = 1.47) and H. ascensions (L∞ = 230 mm rd year 22.48cm and 3 year 23.83cm for males; K = 0.39)42, in Myripristis amaena the growth whereas in females growth rate of 17.31cm, 21.63cm parameters observed was L∞ = 245 mm and K = and 23.0cm were calculated for 1st,2nd and 3rd year 0.23911. The slight variation in growth parameters of respectively, suggesting a slight decrease in growth the same fish family from different regions might be rate. In most fishes decline in growth with increase in due to differences in environmental parameters or size (32, 33&35) age has been reported . However it seems to structure at the specified localities caused by different be natural since the younger stages (juvenile phase) of gears used and methodology adopted for studying the fishes are known to have more rapid growth rate since parameters. In addition, this may result in an the energy is spent for somatic growth whereas in overfishing of many bentho-demersal species43,44. matured or older fishes the energy is utilized for Slight variation in growth parameters of the same fish 37,38 reproduction . In the studied species the maturation family from different regions might be due to of the fishes begins in the third year whereas the differences in environmental parameters or size growth was slower after observed onset of maturity structure at the specified localities caused by different period. gears used methodology adopted for studying the The life span of most tropical fishes is short and parameters. 39,40 seldom exceeds 2-3 years . Present study reveals that S. rubrum has a life span of about 3.5 years. Age Conclusion and growth of S. rubrum based on mathematical Studies on age and growth of squirrel fishes are calculation suggest that they attain a length of around very much limited and hence the present study has 94.5 mm during the first year, whereas they reached a provided the much needed biological information length of 127.7 mm during the second year; a length with regard to the life history of S. rubrum. At present of 143.5 mm was calculated for the third year and this species falls within the important marine 154.6 mm was calculated for the fourth year. The ornamental fish for trade, the levels of exploitation maximum size recorded in the previous study from has increased in the regions like Gulf of Mannar. It is the Eastern Mediterranean coast was 180 mm, significant to have the scientific data on biology, INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 45, NO. 12, DECEMBER 2016 1747

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