Ichthyoplankton from Andaman and Nicobar seas

Abstract

Ichthyoplankton of the Andaman and NIcobar seas were studied for their spatial, seasonal and day and night variations from 357 zooplankton samples collected during 1986 to 1990. High density of fish larvae was encountered in the shelf waters. Maximum number of 4938 larvae/1000 m sup(3) was obtained from an offshore station north of Andaman Island (lat. 13 degrees 57'N and long. 92 degrees 38'E). Fish eggs and larvae were represented in all months. Fish eggs were found throughout the year with higher concentrations during day but the maximum density was found in night collections during December. However there was no definite pattern of distribution of larvae during day or night. The maximum number was in November. Latitudinally fish larvae were definitely higher towards northern latitudes with the maximum number of larvae between 13 degrees and 15 degrees N. Eggs were abundant in the postmonsoon period. Myctophidae, Gonostomidae, Gobiidae, Bregmacerotidae and Serranidae were the dominant groups.