Length-weight relationship and morphometric characteristics of Schizothorax spp. in the River Lidder of Kashmir

Abstract

A study on the biology of fishes of River Lidder was carried out during 2003 – 2005. Seven species of fishes were collected
from the river, out of which, three commercially important species of Schizothorax viz., S. plagiostomus,
S. esocinus and S. labiatus, dominated the catch both by number and weight. One hundred and thirty three specimens of
S. plagiostomus ranging in total length from 96 mm to 520 mm and in weight from 7 g to 948 g, 70 specimens of S. esocinus
ranging in total length from 57 mm to 420 mm and in total weight from 1g to 644 g and 40 specimens of S. labiatus ranging
in length from 92 mm to 255 mm and in total weight from 7 to 179 g were taken for the study. The value of “n’ fluctuated
between 2.9467 to 3.0997. Length–weight relationship in S. plagiostomus was Log W = -4.9653 + 2.9467 Log L, for
S. esocinus, Log W = -5.1635 + 3.0034 Log L and for S. labiatus, Log W = -5.2500 + 3.0997 Log L. S. esocinus showed
maximum growth in head length, pre-dorsal length, pre-pectoral length and eye diameter, while S. plagiostomus ranked
second in pre-dorsal length. The maximum caudal fin length and pre-anal length was observed in S. plagiostomus. The
maximum body and peduncle depth was observed in S. labiatus. Due to low pollution load in the River Lidder, the environmental
stress on these species seems to be very low order and this has probably led to the almost ideal growth pattern of the three species.