PANAJI: Goa’s first record of scaly hairfin anchovy would have ended up on somebody’s dinner plate. A fisheries scientist’s luck ensured it is now preserved in formaldehyde in the research lab.
The Setipinna taty is found aplenty on the east coast, but this could be the first record on this side. “It was probably caught in a gillnet off Chorao and this fisherwoman had laid it out for sale at Ribandar ferry point along with peddi (anchovies) and tarle (sardines),” G B Sreekanth, scientist, Indian council of agricultural research (ICAR), Old Goa, said.
The ICAR scientists were in the area conducting a survey of fish species in the Mandovi estuary. This follows a similar inventory in the Zuari that helped identify its bay as a fish biodiversity hotspot with a total of 290 documented species.
“This specimen of ray-finned fish species had a total length of 14.6cm and body weight of 23.3gm. Its maximum reported length is 15.3cm,” Sreekanth said. It is known for its peculiar whisker-like long pectoral fin filaments.
Fisheries scientists in Goa have shown more interest in studying fish species in recent years. NIO’s survey a few decades ago in coastal waters at Grande island had recorded 50-odd fish species, which was later updated by the Old Goa institution.
The anchovy is yet another species for scientists and others to admire among the 400 documented ones. Scientists are trying to confirm if this vagrant is the first report from the west coast. “More data is needed, based on certain identifications,” E Chakurkar, director, ICAR said.
The geographic distribution of this fish extends from Bay of Bengal to Penang, Malaysia. “The fish is found in seas, rivers as well as brackish waters. In India, it is found straying into the Hooghly in West Bengal,” Trivesh Mayekar, scientist, ICAR said.
Fresh water bodies are major sources of new species. Though unexplored and neglected, they hold potential for new discoveries. “Rock pools of water in upper river streams during dry season harbour these fishes, which are a dietary source for wild animals. Therefore, this also needs to be inventorised and researched to conserve and propagate them,” reputed fisheries scientist, Baban Ingole said.