Length-weight relationship and condition factor of silver pomfret Pampus argenteus (Osteichthyes: Stromatidae) in Iraqi marine waters northwest of the Persian Gulf

Length-weight relationship (LWR) and relative condition factors are important in fisheries assessment studies as they provide insight into the growth, general health and fitness of fish in the marine environment. The silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) is considered an important economic species in the northern Persian Gulf region. The length-weight relationship and condition factor were examined for ۳۲۴ specimens, in an average length range of ۶۵–۳۲۰ mm, comprising males, females, and juveniles from Iraqi territorial waters in the northwestern Persian Gulf, between April and December ۲۰۲۴. The relationship between length and weight was calculated separately for females, males and juveniles, as well as for both sexes combined. The b values were (۳.۲۵۵۲, ۳.۰۶۴۲, ۲.۹۸۳۶, ۳.۲۵۸۸), indicating positive allometric growth in females and isometric growth in both males and juveniles, as well as in combined groups of fish. A significant difference between males and females was identified. The rating value (R۲) was almost equal among all individuals, measured at ۰.۹۴۴۶ for females, ۰.۹۷۳۶ for males and ۰.۹۸۵۴ for the total population. The mean relative position factor (Kn) for females was ۱.۰۰ (±۰.۰۹۷) and ranged from ۰.۷۸–۱.۳۲, for males it was ۱.۰۲ (±۰.۰۸۰) and ranged from ۰.۸۲–۱.۲۶, while for juveniles it was ۱.۰۱ (±۰.۱۹۷) and ranged from ۰.۷. This showed that there was no significant statistical change between months, with the female pomfret showing peak rates until the end of the breeding season in October. This study is important to identify important life characteristics of the silver pomfret population when they enter Iraqi marine waters for breeding, which may help in the design of management policies for this species.

Keywords:

Length-Weight Relationship , Relative Condition Factor , Pampus argenteus , Persian Gulf