Morphometric and meristic differentiation of flying fish population from Coromandel coast, Tamil Nadu

Morphometric and meristic variations of flying fish were observed from Coromandel Coast to evaluate the population status of three different stocks. A total of 105 flying fishes were collected from the landing centres on Coromandel Coast. Fourteen morphometric and four meristic characteristics of the fish were measured. Morphometric and meristic study are vigorous tools for measuring discreteness of the same species. Traditional measurements were used to describe morphometric characters of fish. Traditional data such as total length, fork length, standard length, head length, maximum body depth, eye diameter, pre orbital length, pre anal length, caudal height and pectoral fin length were recorded. A total four meristic characters were examined using the number of pectoral fin unbranched rays, dorsal fin rays, anal fin rays and predorasal scales.