Length weight relationship and condition factor of Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792) from Rudrasagar Lake (A Ramsar site), Tripura

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the length-weight relationship as well as condition factor of a medium sized freshwater fish species i.e. Anabas testudineus from Rudrasagar Lake, a Ramsar site, Tripura. For the aforesaid purpose, a total of 312 fish specimens were collected from June 2015 to December 2015 following random sampling approach using different types of fishing gears as gill net, cast net and drag net of various mesh sizes. The results revealed intercept ‘a’ and slope ‘b’ value as -1.868 and 3.044, respectively with R2= 0.99 at 95% confidence limit. This indicates growth in the species is isometric and statistically significant correlation found between length and weight of sampled fish. Isometric growth indicates that the shape of fish does change as it grows. The computed value of Fulton’s condition factor ranged from 1.25 to 1.84 indicating good health condition of the fish. The average K value was obtained as 1.51 which is a sign of good health status of fish as well as its habitat. This study is useful in providing relevant information in understanding the biology of the fish, estimation of fish condition in its environment and in the assessment of population dynamic parameters.