Morphometric and meristic characteristics of selected fish species of Hathnikund barrage, Haryana, India

Abstract

The present study was carried out to analyse the morphometric and meristic characteristics of selected freshwater fish species from Hathnikund barrage, Haryana, from September 2022 to March 2024 on a quarterly basis. The Hathnikund barrage is an important regulating structure on the Yamuna River that significantly influences downstream water flow, habitat conditions and fish diversity. Four dominant and commercially important species-Wallago attu, Cirrhinus mrigala, Cyprinus carpio and Labeo bata were selected for detailed study. Twelve morphometric parameters and five meristic parameters were recorded using standard methods and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, minimum, maximum and standard deviation). Morphometric analysis showed clear seasonal and interspecific variability. In Wallago attu, the total length ranged from 19.84 to 33.0 cm, the standard length from 16.15 to 29.0 cm, the head length from 2.5 to 8.0 cm, and the number of anal fin rays ranged from 76 to 98. Chirinus mrigala had a total length of 10.3 to 35.67 cm, a body height of 2.24 to 7.61 cm, and a number of dorsal fin rays of 10 to 17. In the case of carp, the total length was 10.0 to 35.0 cm, the body height was 2.5 to 9.0 cm, and the number of dorsal fin rays was 19 to 17. 24 rays and 6 to 11 rays on the pelvic fin. The total length of Labeo bata was 12.65 to 40.40 cm, the standard body length was 10.62 to 33.35 cm, the body depth was 3.14 to 10.0 cm, and the pectoral fin radius was 15 to 17 cm. While meristic traits remained relatively stable within species, morphometric traits showed wider variation and showed differences in growth stages and environmental influences.