Food and feeding habit and fecundity of crab, Portunus sanguinolentus (Herbst, 1783) landed at Veraval coast, Gujarat

Abstract

The present study will be very useful by providing baseline data to the policy makers and managers affliated with various government and non-governmental organizations in fisheries sector for making strategies that can be used in future. The assessment of Portunus sanguinolentus crab was carried out in Veraval coast of Gujarat. The favorite food of P. sanguinolentus was crustaceans and fish. Crustacean contributes 30% and fish contributes 22% than other food content. Other food items found was molluscan, miscellaneous and debris. The gastrosometic index (GaSI) of the male and female was higher in October and November while lower in September. The percentage of empty stomachs was highest in August and lowest in February. The stomach containing with the rate of feeding intensity i.e. trace, three fourth and quarter stomach were in lower rate. The study revealed that spawning percentage was higher during August, September, December and January months. The absolute fecundity of P. sanguinolentus ranged from 7,44,900 to 6,02,910. The annual average ova diameter was 317 μm (ranged from 229 to 406 μm).