Length-Weight Relationship and Condition factor of Halfbeak Hemiramphus lutkei (Valenciennes, 1847) found from Karachi Coast

Abstract

The length-weight relationship plays an important role in fishery management. Halfbeak Hemiramphus lutkei is one of the marine food fish. Hence, considering the market value, the length-weight relationship and condition factor of Halfbeak H. lutkei was calculated. Since January to December 2013, from the Karachi Coast, a total of 380 sample of H. lutkei were collected. The total (TL) length of specimens were ranged from 14 to 25cm and body weight ranged 10 to 23.5 gm. Based on length the samples were divided into two groups ‘A’ and ‘B’. While, the LeCren (1951) formula was applied to calculate the length weight relationship (LWR). The LWR shows significant (P < 0.05) difference in the specimens. The intercept ‘a’ values was recorded in the range of -1.546 and -0.453, while the values of slope ‘b’ was ranged 2.089-1.271. The mean condition factor (K) of group ‘A’ was 0.25±0.167 and 0.042±0.008 for group ‘B’. Hence, group B shows a satisfactory growth condition that might be said that the early growth of H.lutkei is not good but as it grow in size the condition of growth becomes good.