Length-weight relationship, growth pattern and condition factor of four indigenous cypriniform Schizothorax species from Vishav Stream of Kashmir Himalaya, India

Abstract

The indigenous Schizothorax spp. in the valley of Kashmir are facing constant threats and decline in their overall population. The current aim was to analyse the comparative length-weight relationship (LWRs) and condition factor (K) of 350 specimens belonging to four Schizothorax spp. (S. plagiostomus, S. esocinus, S. labiatus and S. curvifrons) from the Vishav Stream of Kashmir Himalaya, India. The fish specimens were sampled for a period of one year from April 2018 to March 2019. The results revealed that the growth coefficient ‘b’ in all the four Schizothorax spp. was found very close to 3, indicating an isometric growth pattern. No significant difference in the ‘b’ values of four Schizothorax spp. was found when compared with the isometric value (t-test: p > 0.05). The mean value of the ‘K’ for S. plagiostomus, S. esocinus, S. curvifrons and for S. labiatus were 0.81 ± 0.07, 0.80 ± 0.08, 0.85 ± 0.08 and 0.88 ± 0.12 respectively. The mean condition factor did not vary across four species (ANOVA: p > 0.05). The present findings could serve as baseline information for the management, stock assessment and future studies of indigenous capture fishery resources of the Vishav Stream and other similar habitats.

Comparative account on the length-weight and length-length relationships and condition factor of six cyprinid fishes from Dal Lake, Kashmir

“…As a bioecological tool, the LWR is very useful for evaluating growth patterns and general wellbeing in fish populations; this relationship shows that the LWR varies depending on environmental factors (Arafat and Bakhtiyar 2022). Generally, the value of exponent b for LWRs is 2.5 to 3.5 (Froese 2006) which are consistent with the estimated b values for the studied fish species.…”

Length-Weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Seven Fish Species in Manasbal Lake, Kashmir, India

“…Numerous studies demonstrate that estimating the relationship between length and weight (LWR) can be significant in identifying fish species. Besides providing insight into growth patterns, well-being and ecological conditions of an aquatic environment, the studies provide information about the fish's biography, stoutness and other biometric characters (Schneider et al, 2000;Froese, 2006;Arafat and Bakhtiyar, 2022). The length-weight relationship forms an important tool for the estimation of weight-at-age, therefore, can be useful in studies of the fish stock estimation models, modeling aquatic biomes, development of gonads and maturity status (Petrakis and Stergiou, 1995;King, 1996;Gonçalves et al, 1997;Stergiou and Moutopoulos, 2001).…”