International Journal of Environmental Sciences

The growth features of a commercially important fish species, i.e. Etroplus suratensis (local name “Kundala”) was studied in the Chilika Lagoon. In total, 4192 of E. suratensis samples were measured with their total length during the period of June 2008 to May 2009. Different cohorts were identified through multiple length frequency analysis on the total length of these species and their growth curves were estimated. The estimated growth parameters like, L_inf (cm), K, and t0 was 33.7cm, 0.20, and 0.01 for the species respectively. Length at 50% maturity (L₅₀) of the fish samples was also examined. The estimated L₅₀ for E. suratensis was 165mm (TL). Lengthweight relationship (LWR) of Etroplus suratensis also estimated and the equation found y = 1E-05x^3.134 (n=118) for male, y = 3E-05x^2.998 (n=184) for female and y=2E-05X^3.101 (n=302) as unsexed samples. Here the computed growth coefficient (b) was 3.134, 2.998 and 3.101, where the regression coefficient (r²) was 0.982, 0.96 and 0.977 for male, female and unsexed samples respectively.