Some aspects of biology of catfishes Tachysuruscaelatus (Valenciennes) and Osteogeneiosusmilitaris (Linnaeus) from Mumbai

Abstract

The results of investigations on some aspects of the biology of Tachysurus caelatusand Osteogeneiosus militaris are presented. The fishes fed on crustaceans followedby fishes, molluscs and polycheates. Gestating males were found starving. Theoccurrence of mature females and gestating male parents indicate that T.caelatus,spawns during February-June and O.militaris during August-April. T.caelatusattains 50% maturity at a total length of 40.8 cm and O.militaris at 33.0 cm.Females predominant the catch of both these species. Fecundity varied from 44to 81 ova in T.caelatus and 27 to 61 ova in O.militaris. The maximum number ofincubated eggs recorded from oro – buccal cavity of T.caelatus and O.militariswas 54 and 56 eggs respectively. The length- weight relationships of these fishespooled for both sexes are:T.caelatus: Log W= - 5.57881+3.24007 Log L.O.militaris: Log W = - 4.86014 + 2.92293 Log L.