Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences (IJMS)

First distributional record of four cardinal fishes (Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) from Odisha coast, India

S Patra — 2026-02-27

Four cardinalfish species of the family Apogonidae are found to occur for the first time from the Odisha coast, Bay of Bengal. The species Archamia bleekeri (Günther, 1859), Jaydia smithi Kotthaus, 1970, Jaydia striata (Smith & Radcliffe, 1912), and Lepidamia kalosoma (Bleeker, 1852) were collected from different fish landing centres of the Odisha coast. This paper documents reported species as new distributional records for the coastal waters of Odisha.

First record of the cymothoid isopods, Joryma malabaricus Aneesh, Helna & Trilles, 2019 and Nerocila arres Bowman & Tareen, 1983, from West Bengal, along with the molecular phylogeny of Joryma malabaricus using the mtCOI gene

R Mazumder — 2026-02-27

Two species of parasitic isopods, Joryma malabaricus Aneesh, Helna & Trilles, 2019, and Nerocila arres Bowman & Tareen, 1983, were documented for the first time from the West Bengal coast. Molecular characterization of J. malabaricus was also conducted during the present study. Joryma malabaricus differs genetically from its congener sequences considered for the analysis with a K2P distance of 6.55 – 31.03 %. Additionally, a new host, Protonibea diacanthus (Lacepède, 1802), for Nerocila arres is reported in this manuscript.

Effect of selenium-enriched microalgae and rotifers for the efficacious larval survival of Pink Skunk Clownfish, Amphiprion perideraion

M J Nakhwa — 2026-02-27

Selenium is an essential microelement for the normal functioning of fish health. It was reported that selenium-enriched zooplankton has given reasonable survival rates in food fish larvae. However, limited literature is available on clownfish. Hence, the present experiment was designed to improve the assessment of the larval survival of pink skunk clownfish, Amphiprion perideraion, with selenium-enriched microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. Different concentrations of Se [0 (Control), 2, 4, 10 and 50 mg/L] were added to the stock culture of microalgae. For this experiment Walne medium was used at the prescribed level to culture Nannochloropsis sp. In each tank, 100 larvae of A. perideraion (3.5 – 3.8 mm) were stocked immediately, after hatching. The rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis were fed to different groups of selenium-enriched Nannochloropsis sp. and same was introduced in tanks (6 – 8 no./ml). There was no colour change in Se-enriched microalgae at concentrations of 0, 2, and 4 mg/L, whereas the microalgae at 10 and 50 mg/L turned pale after the 3^rd day. Maximum larval survival was observed in 2 and 4 mg/L groups, followed by control and 10 mg/L. However, meagre survival was noticed in 50 mg/L. Early metamorphosis (11^th day) was recorded in the 2 and 4 mg/L groups; in the control group, it occurred after the 15^th day. The present study concluded that selenium-enriched microalgae at specific concentrations are recommended for the larval rearing of pink skunk clown; however, this may also be adopted for other species of clowns.

Addressing knowledge gaps in the biology of the Bengal corvina (Daysciaena albida Cuvier, 1830) from the Northeastern Arabian Sea

R J Nair — 2026-02-27

Bengal corvina, Daysciaena albida, a commercially important species, has not been studied much from the Northeastern Arabian Sea. To address the knowledge gaps in the biology of this species, studies were conducted from April 2022 to December 2023. To estimate the biological parameters, 121 fish samples in the length range of 10.9 – 40.0 cm were analysed collected from landings by fishermen operating valloms. The results obtained showed that the fish showed negative isometric growth patterns with the growth exponents, ‘b’ values, of the female, male, and pooled data as 2.89, 2.87, and 2.90, respectively, which were also close to the optimum value of 3. Relative condition factor K_n fluctuated between 0.95 and 1.1, which suggest a state of wellbeing for the species. The GSI values among months were significantly different (P < 0.01), but between the sexes, there was no difference over the months. This study will help to fill the gaps in the biology of the Bengal corvina Daysciaena albida and will contribute to the management and conservation of the species.

Feeding traits and diet diversity of Heterocarpus chani Li, 2006 (Decapoda: Caridea: Pandalidae) from southeastern Arabian Sea

R D Chakraborty — 2026-02-27

A comprehensive exploration into the diet diversity and feeding strategy of the deep-sea shrimp, Heterocarpus chani, involved the analysis of 274 specimens gathered from the southeastern Arabian Sea, revealing discernible differences in food preference based on factors such as sex, size, and season. Detritus emerged as the predominant dietary element, followed by crustaceans, foraminiferans, and fish remains. The index of preponderance revealed detritus accounting for 83.3 % in males, 71.5 % in berried females, and 67.9 % in non-berried females. It was noted that males exhibited a higher level of feeding intensity compared to females. The percentage of active feeders is higher in both males (48.2 %) and berried females (38.6 %) in comparison with moderately fed and poorly fed groups. During the post-monsoon season, both male and female H. chani showed peak feeding activity and intensity. Remarkably, within the female population, the highest feeding activity was noted among juvenile individuals, potentially contributing to accelerated somatic and ovarian development. Upon assessing the gastro somatic index, it became apparent that male H. chani exhibited greater efficiency as predators compared to their female counterparts. Throughout the entire study period, the average vacuity index remained consistent, standing at 22.8 % for males, 22.8 % for berried females, and 23.4 % for non-berried females. Instances of empty stomachs were observed across all seasons, with the highest proportion noted during the pre-monsoon period in both sexes.