Insights into biological parameters of Macrognathus pancalus (Hamilton, 1822) from the river Ganga, Bihar, India

SURENDRA KUMAR AHIRWAL; Kamal Sarma; Vivekanand Bharti; Tarkeshwar Kumar; Rakesh Kumar; Jaspreet Singh; Shailendra Raut; Ravi Kumar

doi:10.21077/

Authors

Surendra Kumar Ahirwal Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna 800 014, Bihar
Dr. Kamal Sarma Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna 800 014, Bihar
Dr. Vivekanand Bharti Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna 800 014, Bihar
Dr. Tarkeshwar Kumar Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna 800 014, Bihar
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna 800 014, Bihar
Jaspreet Singh ICAR National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow 226 002, Uttar Pradesh
Shailendra Raut ICAR National Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga 846 005, Bihar
Ravi Kumar ICAR Mahatma Gandhi Integrated Farming Research Institute, Motihari - 845 429, Bihar

https://doi.org/10.21077/

Keywords:

Macrognathus pancalus, growth pattern, size at maturity, spawning season , fecundity, river Ganga

Abstract

Growth pattern, sex ratio, gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HIS), size at first maturity, fecundity, and ova diameter of Macrognathus pancalus (Hamilton, 1822) from the river Ganga were studied. A total of 450 specimens were collected from two fish landing sites namely, Digha Ghat Patipul and Fatwah Ghat, located along the river Ganga. Females ranged from 75.83 to 165.20 mm in total length (TL) with corresponding body weights of 1.47 and 17.39 g, and males ranged from 77.50 to 153.70 mm in TL, weighing between 1.05 and 10.65 g. Both sexes exhibited positive allometric growth; the allometric coefficient was slightly higher in females. Overall M: F sex ratio was 0.9:1, which did not deviate statistically from the hypothetical value of 1:1, indicating an approximately equal representation of both sexes in the population. GSIindicated bimodal spawning season, with peaks in February and August–September. Males attain sexual maturity at a smaller size and lower body weight than females. A significant positive correlation was observed between HIS and GSI (r = 0.69, p<0.0001). Mean absolute and relative fecundities were 715.17± 2.08 eggs per female and 87.34±5.08 eggs g⁻¹ body weight, respectively. Eggs were spherical in shape, with a mean diameter of 1.17±0.02 mm. Fecundity appeared to increase with fish weight rather than length. These findings will be valuable for stock assessment studies of the species in this region, as well as for the conservation and sustainable management of the species.

Keywords: Fecundity, Growth pattern, Size at maturity, Spiny eel, Spawning season

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Author Biographies

Surendra Kumar Ahirwal, Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna 800 014, Bihar

Scientist
Dr. Kamal Sarma , Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna 800 014, Bihar

Head of Division
Dr. Vivekanand Bharti, Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna 800 014, Bihar

Scientist
Dr. Tarkeshwar Kumar, Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna 800 014, Bihar

Scientist
Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna 800 014, Bihar

Scientist
Jaspreet Singh, ICAR National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow 226 002, Uttar Pradesh

Scientist
Shailendra Raut, ICAR National Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga 846 005, Bihar

Scientist
Ravi Kumar, ICAR Mahatma Gandhi Integrated Farming Research Institute, Motihari - 845 429, Bihar

Scientist

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