Estimation of length-weight relationship and condition factor of Crossocheilus diplochilus (Heckel, 1838): A freshwater benthopelagic fish from Wular Lake in Kashmir Himalaya

Abstract

A study on length-weight relationship and condition factor of Crossocheilus diplochilus from Wular Lake was conducted on 48 specimens collected on a monthly basis from December 2014 to November 2015. The length-weight relationship of C. diplochilus in the present study indicated negative allometric growth i.e. b < 3 for the given fish. The length-weight relationship equation was calculated and expressed as Log W = -1.292 + 2.408 Log L. The mean condition factor ‘K’ of the fish was recorded as 1.2 suggesting a moderately well condition of the fish in Wular Lake. These results provide the first basic information on length-weight parameters of C. diplochilus from Wular Lake which could be helpful in easy identification of the fish species. These parameters could further be employed to study the growth pattern and population dynamics of the fish species and would thus help in the development of a strategy for conservation of the natural stocks of C. diplochilus in Wular Lake, India.