Occurrence and distribution of milkfish larvae, Chanos chanos off the western coast of Panay Island, Philippines

Abstract

The occurence and distribution of milkfish larvae (∼3–17 mm TL) off western Panay Island, Philippines are reported based on 594 plankton net tows made in April and May 1980. Forty-two tows yielded 44 larvae, together with 1149 milkfish eggs by 98 tows. About 70% of the larvae of all stages came from stations less than 100 m deep and 1–2 km from land. Younger larvae up to 6 mm and about 1 week old occurred at stations of various distances from shore, while older larvae occurred only near shore. About 48% of larvae of all stages were caught by surface tows; younger larvae occurred also in deeper layers (20 and 30 m). Larval abundance increased towards May. Younger larvae tended to occur during the quarter moon periods and older ones during the full and new moon periods.