Length-weight relationship and condition factor of the pabo catfish Ompok pabo (Hamilton, 1822) from Tripura, India

Abstract

The length -weight relationship and condition factor (K) of Ompok pabo, (Hamilton, 1822) , were studied. Length- weight relationship of the species followed the cube-law, indicating an isometric growth pattern . The regression co-efficient (b) of this relationship varied due to sex, size and seasons, showing maximum variation due to size. The overall length -weight regression equation (Log W = -2.67610654 + 3.231 log TL, r = 0.907), and also the length-weight equations of males, females and juveniles (Log W = -2.580495 + 3.266 log TL (r=0.940), Log W = -3.27312 + 3.730584 log TL (r=0.823) and Log W = -1.79226 + 2.836639 log TL (r=0.959) respectively), indicate positive correlation between length and weight in O. pabo. Variations in the condition factor were found to be influenced by the gonadal maturity and spawning season. General wellbeing of the fish is found to be good, as indicated by the values of condition factor, which were nearer to or greater than 1. Condition factor of the fish also reflected its gonadal maturity and spawning season. The species has undergone significant decline due to overexploitation as a food fish.