Identification of pelagic fish larvae in Oman Sea offshore waters (Hormuzgan province)

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify fish larvae from the upper pelagic layer of Oman Sea, off east shore waters of Hormozgan Province during May 2011.Sampling was obliquely conducted using Bongo Bongo-net plankton sampler with 500 µ of mesh sizeby Thai Prantlay 10 Vesselle.In each station,abiotic factors (Temperature, Salinity and PH) were recorded.Upper pelagic waters of Oman Sae had less fish larvae in compare to nursery grounds like creeks and estuaries. In total 125 specimens were collected and examined. They were belonging to 8 families.Engraulidae, Mullidae and Sillaginidae were dominant families, which included 45% of total fish larvae abundance .There were 14 stations. At stations 3, 10 and 13 the biodiversity was in highest levels. The maximum abundance was 36 larvae per 10 m square of sea surface at station 12.In some stations, there was no fish larvae and in total, most of larvae were in post flexion level