Maturation Biology And Spawning Ethos Of A Hillstream Catfish Pseudecheneis Sulcatus (McClelland) In A Glacier-Fed Stream Alaknanda, Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand

Abstract

Pseudecheneis sulcatus (McClelland) is an important catfish of the Himalayan rivers which is well adapted for lotic environments. Present communication deals with its maturation biology and spawning behavior based on the microscopic and macroscopic observations to decide its maturity stages, spawning time and frequency. Parameters like frequency polygons of ova diameter measurement, percentage occurrence of fish of various maturity stages during different, months, Gonado-Somatic Index and Dobriyal index were taken as a tools of study. The fish is a protracted spawner having a single frequency of spawning during late July-Early September.