Growth estimation and physiological well-being of fish species from the Baixada Maranhense, Eastern Amazon, Brazil

ABSTRACT: The study estimated the growth parameters for fish species from the Baixada Maranhense region, Eastern Amazon, as an element for adequate use of natural resources. Specimens were collected between July 2018 and June 2019 using gill nets with mesh sizes ranging between 3 and 8 cm. Length-weight relationships (LWR) were calculated from 1,890 specimens of 11 species belonging to 10 families and three taxonomic orders. The angular coefficient b ranges from 2.76 to 3.32 and the lowest and highest values of the relative condition factor were found for the flood season ranging from 0.926 to Cichlasoma zarskei Ottoni 2011 and 1.265 to Metynnis lippincottianus (Cope 1870), respectively. We recorded for the first time the LWR parameters for the species C. zarskei. This approach is essential to contribute to the conservation of fish populations, as well as the preservation of the ecosystems by providing indispensable information for fishery management.