Table 2: Definition of various meristic counts used in the study.

S. No. Character Description Acronym
1 Dorsal fin ray Number of the dorsal fin rays DFR
2 Anal fin ray Number of anal rays AFR
3 Pectoral Fin Ray Number of the pectoral Fin rays PFR
4 Pelvic fin ray Number of the pelvic Fin rays PVFR
5 Lateral line scale Number of scales along the lateral line LLS
6 Scales above lateral line Number of scales between the anterior origin of dorsal-fin base and lateral line SALL
7 Scales below lateral line Number of scales in an anterior-posterior line between lateral line and ventral midline SBLL