The Length-Weight Relationship and Condition Factor of the Yellowspotted Puffer Torquigener flavimaculosus Hardy & Randall, 1983 in the Eastern Libya

This research was organized to study the length-weight relationships (LWR), condition factors, and hepatic and gonado somatic indices of Torquigener flavimaculosus. Ninety-one specimens were collected from February to April 2023, using long lines from Tobruk port, Tobruk city, Libya. The body length was measured to the nearest 0.1cm, body weight and the other weights were recorded to the nearest 0.1g. Data were classified according to sex (male vs. female) and month of catch (Feb, March, & April) then analyzed. Power regression values were estimated and T-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was run by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) program. The results showed that the corresponding averages of total body length (L), body weight (W), liver weight, stomach weight, gonad weight, and empty weight were 11.74±1.64cm, 35.11±11.70g, 2.83±2.01g, 0.82±0.42g, 0.88±0.68g, and 24.02±8.50g, respectively. The females fishes recorded the highest values of the above traits, while fish were caught during the study recorded the greatest values. LWR indicated negative allometric growth (W=-0.41L1.83 with R2=0.68). The hepatosomatic index (HSI) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in females (9.58±4.17) compared to males (7.03±3.79), while the gonadosomatic index (GSI) was not affected by sex. Further analysis revealed monthly differences in the GSI and HSI, with values highest in February (HSI: 12.53±2.32; GSI: 3.56±1.42) and had significantly decreasing trend in March (HSI: 7.53±3.67; GSI: 2.33±2.26) and April (HSI: 4.76±1.49; GSI: 1.62±0.76). In addition, differences were found in the Fulton's condition factors (KF) and relative condition factor (Kn) between sexes, with females exhibiting higher values of Kn (1.07±0.22) than males (0.98±0.18), while the males recorded greater values of KF (2.20±0.58) than females (2.11±0.55). Further research is needed to explore and investigate the factors influencing these biological and physiological indices.