Length-weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Siluriformes Fish Species, Endangered Eutropiichthys vacha, Hamilton (1922) and Endemic Deccan Catfish Rita kuturnee (Sykes, 1839) of Godavari River Andhra Pradesh, South India

Abstract

Background: The present study of the length-weight relationship and condition factors of two Eutropiichthys vacha and Rita kuturnee, from Godavari River Andhra Pradesh, from the year August 2021 to July 2023 at fortnightly intervals. Methods: The log transformation formula was employed to establish length-weight relationships (LWRs) [3]. The length-weight equation used was W = aLb, in the usual notations. Linear regression of the log-transformed equation, log(W) = log(a) + b log(L), was utilized to calculate the parameters ‘a’ (intercept) and ‘b’ (slope) of the relationship. Result: A total of 1453 specimens of E. vacha and 1273 specimens of R. kuturnee were collected by using gill nets. The collected specimens exhibited a total length range of 10 to 27 cm for E. vacha and 7 to 18.5 cm for R. kuturnee. Correspondingly, the body weight range was recorded as 12 to 140 gm for E. vacha and 8 to 50 gm for R. kuturnee. Statistical analysis revealed a negative allometric growth trend for both males and females of E. vacha and R. kuturnee, with b values ranging from 2.569 to 2.711 for E. vacha and 2.53 to 2.61 for R. kuturnee. The fluctuation in the relative condition factor ranged from 1.06 to 1.09 for E. vacha and 1.001 to 1.12 for R. kuturnee. Furthermore, the overall health conditions of these two species were determined to be favorable.