The relationships between body and otolith size of the blueline snapper Lutjanus coeruleolineatus (Rüppell, 1838) collected from the coasts of Oman, Arabian Sea

Abstract

Relationships between fish length and otolith length and width were examined in the blueline snapper Lutjanus coeruleolineatus (Lutjanidae) collected from the coasts of Oman, Arabian Sea. The values of exponent b from the relationships between fish total length and otolith length and total length and otolith width were estimated representing the close fitness of otolith size with fish size. Both relationships were statistically significant, which means both otolith length and width can be used to retrieve the fish original size. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the effect of the categorical factor of species in the fish length and otolith length relationship. This study represents the first reference available on the relationship of fish size and otolith size for L. coeruleolineatus in the Arabian Sea area. Results from this study will offer original data on quantitative biometric relationships between body and otolith measurements of fish species in Arabian Sea region. By obtaining the mathematical model showing the relationship of the otolith size and fish length will enable fisheries biologists to know the size of the fish that has been eaten an information which important for fish biologists.