Investigation on some Biological and Growth parameters of Common kilka Clupeonella caspia Svetovidov, 1941 in Southern Caspian Sea

The present study aimed to study the growth and condition factor of common kilkaClupeonella caspia in the southern coast of Caspian Sea, Mazandaran Province,during winter 2009 to spring 2010. A total of 175 samples were caught by kilkafishing vessel in Babolsar harbor. The meristic and morphometric characteristics ofspecimens were measured using standard methods. The average length and weight ofall samples were 110.33 ± 11.53 mm and 8.28±2.38 g, respectively. The Lengthweightrelationship was W = 0.000002L 2.71 (r2 =0.834). The correlation coefficientbetween width and length was 91%. Average condition factor (CF) was estimated as2.33 with maximum and minimum values in January and June, respectively. Themean CF was significantly different among all months studied (P<0.05). Averagesof length and weight as well as mean CF were greater in winter than those in spring.The increased mean length and decreased mean weight of common kilka populationsduring recent years indicate reduced juveniles and also limited access to zooplanktonas a result of the invasive ctenophore requiring appropriate fisheries management.

Keywords:

Clupeonella caspia , Caspian Sea , Growth , Babolsar