FLUCTUATING ASYMMETRY IN THE OTOLITH WIDTH OF Carangoides caeruleopinnatus (CARANGIDAE) COLLECTED FROM MUSCAT CITY COAST ON THE SEA OF OMAN

The fluctuating asymmetry in two otolith dimensions, the length and width of adult teleost Carangoides caeruleopinnatus were calculated. The highest asymmetry value was observed in the otolith width. The fish length groups 201-210 and 281-290 mm showed the lowest and the highest value of asymmetry respectively. In addition, few fish length groups have shown zero value for otolith size asymmetry. Different pollutants and their presence in the area appeared to be one of the reasons that cause the asymmetry in this species. A trend of increase in the asymmetry values with the fish length was noticed for the otolith length and width.