Annals of Agriculture and Environment

INVESTIGATING THE LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP AND FEEDING HABITS OF BLACK POMFRET

Zahoor Ahmed

Department of Fresh Water Biology and Fisheries, University of Sindh Jamshoro, Pakistan

Wazir Ali Baloch

Department of Fresh Water Biology and Fisheries, University of Sindh Jamshoro, Pakistan

Abid Hussain

Balochistan Agricultural Research & Development Center, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, Quetta, Pakistan

Sher Ahmed

Balochistan Agricultural Research & Development Center, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, Quetta, Pakistan

Nazeer Ahmed

Balochistan Agricultural Research & Development Center, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, Quetta, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.63611/aae.01.01.015

Keywords: Feeding habbit, Black pomfret, Parastromatues niger, Carnivorous, Diet

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Abstract

The study investigates various aspects of Parastromateus niger (black pomfret) population dynamics along the coast of Gaddani. A male-to-female ratio of 1:1.54 was observed, with females dominating the sampled population. Length and weight distributions were analyzed across male, female, and combined categories, with lengths ranging from 13 cm to 43 cm and weights from 62.65 g to 515 g. Maximum frequencies occurred within the 23-25 cm length range, with 9, 15, and 24 instances in male, female, and combined samples, respectively. Length-weight equations were computed separately, indicating a positive relationship with high correlation coefficients (R2) near 1 for all categories. Gut fullness was assessed monthly, revealing a peak of 60% in July, significantly higher than other months. Stomach contents analysis revealed a carnivorous diet primarily consisting of zooplankton, crustaceans (prawn) scales, and semi-digested food, with zooplankton being the most abundant. Overall, the study provides insights into the population dynamics, feeding behavior, and length-weight relationships of Parastromateus niger along the Gaddani coast.