Age and growth of Malabar sole Cynoglossus macrostomus Norman off Kerala Coast

The age and growth of the Malabar sole, Cynogl- mocmtamcs Norman occurring along the coastal seas off Kerala were studied. The length frequency studies indicated that the fish attained 114.0 mm, 136.5 mm, 1525 mm and 159.5 mm at the end of 1 to 4 years. The growth rings on scales showed that the fish attained 118.7 mm, 134.8 mm and 150.3 mm when I to 111 rings are formed on scales. The time of formation of &he rinp on scales was found to be during October-December and February-April. The growth parameters were determined by the von Bertalanffy growth formula, Ford-Walford graph and by the Gulland and Holt plot The values obtained were Loo = 166 mm and K = 0.714lyear