Feeding dynamics and reproductive biology of deep-bodied mojarra Gerres erythrourus (Bloch, 1791) along the Ratnagiri Coast, Maharashtra, India

Biology of the deep-bodied mojarra Gerres erythrourus landed along the Ratnagiri coast, Maharashtra was studied from 678 individuals sampled during September 2023 to July 2024. Total length (TL) ranged between 6.8 to 25.3 cm. The length-weight relationship showed positive allometric growth in males and females. All morphometric measurements showed a high degree of correlation with total length. Mean length at sexual maturity for females was estimated at 17 cm total length (TL). The study indicated that G. erythrourus spawned twice during an extended spawning season and had a moderate fecundity ranging from 64579 to 297040 eggs. Gut content analysis revealed G. erythrourus to be an omnivorus fish, feeding mainly on polychaetes, amphipods, gastropods, bivalves, shrimp juveniles and mysids. The index of relative importance (IRI) values indicated that bivalves are the major diet components. This is the first comprehensive biological study of G. erythrourus along the Indian coast. Keywords: Diet, Fecundity, Feeding intensity, Gerreidae, Spawning