Some biological survey of the Clupeonella engrauliformis (Anchovy-like Kilka) in Guilan coastal region, the south-west of Caspian Sea, in 1996-97

Abstract

According to a survey in 1996, among three species of kilka, living in the South-West of Caspian Sea, anchovy-like kilka composes 90.3% of total kilka catch. In all seasons of a year, anchovy-like kilka, in the second stage of gonadal maturation, shows higher abundance in the catch, compared with other maturation stages. This indicates anchovy-like kilka shows more positive phototaxis, at the beginning of its sexual maturation. Sex ratio shows females dominancy is 54.8-60, 7-75.9 and 82 percent in spring, summer, autumn and winter respectively. The average length of this fish in the four seasons with above order were 98.6±10.8, 97.7±10.3, 99.6±10.6, 100.1 ± 10.6 and the mean weight were 8.24±1.1, 7.5±1.7, 7.3±1.96 and 6.9±1.56 gr. The age composition of anchovy caught on spring in 1997 ranged between 2-5 years old and the dominate group was 3-year-old. The K value and infinite length calculated 0.27 and 147.8 mm respectively. No significant differences were observed between male and female concerning fat reserve and feeding intensity.