Research Article: Biological aspects of the pickhandle barracuda, Sphyraena jello from Dhofar coastal waters of Oman (Arabian Sea)

The pickhandle barracuda, Sphyraena jello Cuvier, ۱۸۲۹, is the most common species of Barracuda in Oman Waters but its basic biological information is still absent, hence this study was conducted. A total of ۶۶۲ individuals were sampled in the Dhofar region along the southwest coast of Oman in the Arabian Sea from June ۲۰۲۱ to May ۲۰۲۲. The length-weight relationship for combined sexes was W=۰.۰۱۵۱ TL۲.۷۲۲۱. The average monthly values of the gonado-somatic index and the percentage of different maturity stages of gonads for males and females indicated that S. jello spawns throughout the year, with spawning peaking from June to August. The length at first maturity was estimated at ۷۱.۹ cm TL for males and ۷۴.۰ cm TL for females and the age at first maturity was ۴.۱ and ۴.۳ years, respectively. The determination of age derived from the sectioned otolith reading revealed that the age of the studied fish varied from one to ۲۴ years with the dominant age of ۳ years old. The longevity of S. jello was calculated at ۲۷ years old. The values of growth parameters in von Bertalanffy growth function for combined sexes were estimated as: L∞=۱۶۱.۱۸ cm, K=۰.۱۱۹ уr-۱ and to= -۰.۸۸. The present study indicates that S. jello is a long-lived species with slow growth rate, so it is vulnerable to overfishing. Further monitoring studies of S. jello are needed to develop scientifically sound and effective management measures for their fishery.

Keywords:

Pickhandle barracuda , Sphyraena jello , Reproduction , Age and growth , Oman , Arabian Sea