Özet:

The present study offers the first report of length-weight relationships (LWRs) and relative condition factor (K$_{n}$) of coralassociated snapper fishes namely: Lutjanus johnii, L. quinquelineatus, and L. xanthopinnis collected from Pulau Kambing fish landing port, Terengganu waters of South China Sea, Malaysia. This study also offers a new maximum total length of 26.8 cm (standard length of 21.3 cm) for L. xanthopinnis. A total of 861 specimens were collected monthly from March 2022 to February 2023 that were caught by using different types of fishing gear such as gill nets (mesh size 45-48 mm), hooks (numbers 9-12), and trawl nets (cod end mesh size 38 mm). In LWRs the growth coefficient b value was calculated at 2.602, 2.962, and 3.051, and the coefficient of determination r$^{2}$ value 0.948, 0.906, and 0.961 for L. johnii, L. xanthopinnis, and L. quinquelineatus, respectively. The student's t-test showed L. johnii had a negative allometric growth pattern. On the other hand, L. quinquelineatus and L. xanthopinnis showed an isometric growth pattern. The K$_{n}$ values for L. johnii, L. quinquelineatus, and L. xanthopinnis were 1.005, 1.030, and 1.024 which indicates they are in a state of healthy growth. LWRs data for three Lutjanus species from the Malaysian South China Sea can be used for fisheries research and management of stocks.

Anahtar Kelimeler: