coastal waters. The collected females were maintained in the laboratory in 1 ton fiber reinforced plastic tanks (FRP). Females deposited the eggs in the tanks and the day of hatching was considered as day one. After hatching, the hatchlings were transfered to 150 litres FRP tanks with the help of a fine meshed scoop net. Aeration was provided with the help of a Hi-Blow aerator (Japan). Few hatchlings were sacrificed for length and weight analysis that were measured using a PRECISA electronic weigh balance and a Vemier caliper (accurate to 1 mm). Length measurement was carried out by measunng dorsal mantle length (DML) At every 10 days crva hc ncrcasc in dorsa mantle length and increase in the bodyweight were recorded. The formula for calculating the length and weight parameters is given as DGRL (MIL2 MILVT (MIL2+ MILI) x 100 and DGRW -(W2 Why T (W2+ W x 100 DGRLe Daily growth rate length ML Initial mantle length MI Final mantle length GDRW Daily growth rate weight We Initial weight W2- Final weight 1- Number of days. The ink, discharged y and debris were siphoned out with the help of a hose 12 cm dia). For salinity experiments. 5 litres capacity plastic bowls were used bowls for 5 salinity gradients viz. 26. 28. 30. 32 and 34 ppts). The live feed brine shrimp Artemia parthenegenetica was collected from the salt pans while the mysids were collected from the Karapad hay of Tuticorin with the help of a fine meshed large scoop net.