Maturation of Metapenaeus moyebi (Kishinouye) in Goa estuaries

Abstract

An assessment of the stake net fishery in the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries of Goa revealed that Metapenaeus moyebi, a penaeid prawn hitherto rarely recorded in Indian waters, formed a good percentage of the estuarine prawn fishery of Goa. At one study point it formed as much as 30.77% of the stake net fishery. Also, 35.1% of the males caught were with fully developed spermatophores. Interestingly, females in maturity stages 3 and 4 were caught from one estuary. Our data shows that this species is not only of importance in the estuarine prawn fishery of Goa, but also suggests the possibility of this species attaining sexual maturity and spawning within this estuarine habitat