Length-weight relationship and condition factor of female skinnycheek lanternfish, Benthosema pterotum (Alcock, 1890), in the Makran Sea (Teleostei: Myctophidae)

Length-weight relationship (TL-BW) and condition factors of 654 female skinnycheek lanternfish, Benthosema pterotum, were evaluated in the Iranian shelf region of Makran (Oman) Sea from April 2013 through March 2014. Prediction of growth pattern was done using a log-transferred of the power function. Analyzing the coefficient b, demonstrated negative allometric growth in juveniles and isometric in adults. The TL-BW relationships obtained were BW= 0.0173TL2.396 and BW=0.0074TL2.933 for juveniles and adults and BW=0.0164TL2.429 for all. The lowest adult condition factor was recorded in summer with an ascending towards spring with the highest value in this season. This value increased from spring to winter in juveniles with the highest value in winter. This trend in juveniles maybe results as better feeding condition in winter, while in adults, it could be affected by the reproductive condition.