Age and growth of the Carnatic carp, Puntius carnaticus (Jerdon, 1849) from Chalakudy River, Kerala

Abstract

Based on length composition of commercial landings of Puntius carnaticus from the river Chalakudy in Kerala, growth parameters such as asymptotic length (Lα), growth co-efficent (K) and growth performance index (φ) were estimated using ELEFAN I programme as 493.5 mm, 0.5 and 5.08 per annum in male and 504.6 mm, 0.65 and 5.22 per annum in female respectively. The life span of P. carnaticus was estimated to be 4-5 years. Males and females attain 286.9 mm and 345.18 mm respectively at the end of I year. The growth co-efficient ‘K’ of P. carnaticus (male= 0.5; female = 0.65) was also found to be comparable with many of the freshwater species used in aquaculture. Based on the present study, it can be concluded that along with other favorable characteristics, the higher growth rate of P. carnaticus in the first year of its life span makes this species an excellent candidate for freshwater aquaculture.