BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF AN ESTUARINE ARROW FIN GOBY, Oxyurichthys tentacularis (VALENCIENNES, 1837)

Evaluating the proximate composition of food fish is the most important aspect in fish nutrition. Muscle of fish is one of the best sources of proteins, vitamins and minerals which are essential nutrients required for proper growth and maintenance of bodily functions. Small pelagic fish play a very important role in human nutrition and health. Proximate composition of these fish differs remarkably from other fishes. Estuarine fish are commercially valuable species and consumption of such fishes provides an inexpensive source of protein with a high biological value, essential mineral and vitamins. The aim of present study was to determine proximate composition in edible part of a commercially important estuarine arrow fin goby, Oxyurichthys tentacularis from Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam, India. Moisture content formed the highest percentage among biochemical components followed by protein, ash, lipid and carbohydrate. The results revealed that moisture content was high when lipid was low during the peak spawning period. Similar to lipid protein also showed an inverse relationship with moisture. The present study revealed that Oxyurichthys tentacularis is a 'low fat-high protein' fish and variation in biochemical composition in present study seems to be governed by spawning cycle and feeding activity.