Length-Weight Relationships and Condition Factor of Two Deep Water Dragonet Species from the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

The present study reports on biometric indices comprising length-weight relationships (LWRs), condition factors, and length frequency distributions of two dragonet fish species (Callionymus profundus and Callionymus carebares) from the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh. A total of 92 specimens were collected from two fish markets (Nesarabad and Haringhata) and from a fisherman's catch who performed fishing near to the swatch of no ground in the Bay of Bengal. The value of the growth coefficient b of LWR (BW = aTL(b)) was calculated as 2.4498 (male) and 2.735 (female) for C. carebares and 2.4098 (male) and 2.801 (female) for C. profundus, with a regression coefficient (r(2)) above 0.95 for both species. The average calculated condition factor (K-F) were 0.383 (male) and 0.388 (female) for C. profundus and 0.555 (male) and 0.734 (female) for C. carebares. These results represent the first study of LWRs for these fish species, which may help in management and conservation of the species in the whole country, including its geographical distribution.