Reproductive Capacity and Sex-Ratio of Noemachelius multifasciatus Day from Mandal River, India

Abstract

Present communication deals with the reproductive capacity and sex ratio of a hill stream ornamental fish, Noemacheilus multifasciatus Day from river Mandal of Garhwal region, Uttarakhand, India. A total 151 specimens were collected for this investigation from Mandal River during October 2020 to September 2021. The morphometric measurements were made within 2-3 days of collection which were total length (TL) fish body weight (F.B.W) ovary length and ovary weight. For the assessment of reproductive capacity, anterior, middle and the posterior part of ovary were taken and number of ova in each sample was counted with the help of binocular microscope. The reproductive capacity in terms of absolute fecundity was calculated as F = S. OW/100. Sex ratio was calculated for whole period of study and its signification was tested by Chi-Square test (χ²). The length of fishes ranged from 56mm to 80mm whereas fish body weight varied from 2138mg to 6347 mg.. The lowest reproductive capacity (175 eggs) was observed for the fish length 56mm, and body weight 2138mg. whereas highest reproductive capacity (3476 eggs) was estimated in fish measuring 80 mm length and fish body weight 6347mg. The reproductive capacity was more dependent on the ovary length (r= 0.9894) and fish weight (r = 0.9812), than the fish ovary weight (0.9786) and fish length (0.9248). The average ratio was 1.16 for female: 1.0 for male.