Meristic and Morphometric Differences between Two Types of Hilsa ilisha in Bangladesh Waters

Abstract

There has been an argument on the stocks, types or races of the anadromous fish, Hilsa ilisha, but detailed study has not yet been done in Bangladesh waters. The present comparative study of samples of Hilsa ilisha collected in 1977 and 1978 from four main rivers of Bangladesh, namely the Padma, Meghna, Jomuna, and Dhaleswari, revealed significant intertype differences in mean numbers of six meristic characters and seven morphometric measurements. Their body coloration, blotches, length of pyloric caecum and number of intermuscular bones were also different. The occurrence of two types (A and B) of Hilsa ilisha was evidenced.