Study on Reproductive Biology of some Indigenous Cat Fish
Keywords:
Reproductive Biology, GSI, Fecundity, CatfishAbstract
The present study investigates the reproductive biology of selected indigenous catfish species Mystus tengara, Mystus vittatus, Clarias batrachus, and Heteropneustes fossilis collected from local markets in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, over a five-month period from August to December 2023. The research was conducted at the Department of Zoology and Applied Aquaculture, Barkatullah University, Bhopal. Monthly samples were analyzed to assess variations in total length, body weight, ovary length, ovary weight, Gonado-somatic Index (GSI), fecundity, and ova diameter to better understand the reproductive cycles and spawning seasons of these species. The maturity stages of the gonads were determined through macroscopic examination, and the GSI was calculated using the standard formula to track gonadal development. Fecundity was estimated gravimetrically by counting ova from different regions of the ovary, while ova diameter was measured using an ocular micrometer. The findings revealed distinct seasonal patterns in reproductive parameters among the studied species. Mystus tengara showed peak reproductive indicators in August, with maximum length (15 cm), weight (40 g), and ovary development. In Mystus vittatus, peak reproductive activity occurred in September, whereas in Clarias batrachus, reproductive maturity was most pronounced in October. Heteropneustes fossilis exhibited its highest GSI, ovary length, and weight in September, declining sharply by December. These variations in reproductive traits across species and months highlight their specific breeding seasons and reproductive strategies. The results of this study are significant for formulating conservation strategies and improving captive breeding programs for indigenous catfish in central India.
References
[1] Ahmet, ALP., Kara, C. and Hakan, M.B. (2003). Reproductive Biology in a Native European Catfish, Silurus glanis L., 1758, Population in Menzelet Reservoir. Turkish J Vet Animal Science. 28: 613-622.
[2] Alam, M. D., & Das, N. G. (1996). Fecundity and condition index of Crassostreama adrasensis (Cupped oyster) in the intertidal water of the Moheshkhali Channel of the Bay of Bengal. Journal of the Inland Fish Society of India.28:105-109.
[3] Amin, M.R., Mollah, M.F.A., Nasrin, S., and Sayeed, M.A. (2008). Some aspects of the reproductive biology of Rita rita. Journal of Bangladesh Agriculture University. 6(1): 159-163.
[4] Anil, K.T. and Kanika. P. (2017). Ovarian Development of African Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822) from Delhi Segment of River Yamuna. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science. 12 (3): 117-126, 2017.https://doi.org/10.3923/jfas.2017.117.126
[5] Arthi T, Nagarajan S, Sivakumar AA, Vijayaraman K. Reproductive biology of two fresh water fishes, Ompok bimaculatus and Ompok malabaricus of the river Amaravathy, Tamil Nadu, India. Biolife .1(2):45-53.
[6] Bagenal, B. T. (1978). Aspects of fish fecundity. In: Gerking, S.D. (ed.) Ecology of Freshwater Fish Production. Blackwell Scientific Publication, London.75- 101.
[7] Bagenal, T. (1978). Methods of assessment of fish production in fresh waters. IBP Handbook No. 3. Black Well Science Contributor. Agricultural Sciences.10(10):365.
[8] Bagenal, T.B. (1957). Annual variations in fish fecundity. Journal of Marine Biological Association United Kingdom. 36: 377-382.https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315400016866
[9] Cemil, K., ALP, A., & Hakan, M.B. (2003). Reproductive Biology in a Native European Catfish, Silurus glanis L., Population in Menzelet Reservoir. Turkish Journal of Veternary Animal Science. 28: 613-622
[10] Chakraborty, A., Das, S., Sarkar, I., Dey, A., & Sinha, M. (2020). Seed production of endangered Indian Magur, Clarias magur (Hamilton, 1822) in low-cost model with community participation. International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies.7(3): 17-20.
[11] Chambers, R. C., and Waiwood K. G. (1996). Maternal and seasonal differences in egg sizes and spawning characteristics of captive Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 53: 1986-2003.https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-53-9-1986
[12] Chondar, S.L. (1977). Fecundity and its role in racial studies of Gadusia chapra (Pisces: Clupeidae). The Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences. 86: 245-254.https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03050969
[13] Demartini, E. E. (1991). Annual variations in fecundity, egg size and the gonadal and somatic condition of queenfish Seriphus politus (Sciaenidae). Fish. Bull., 89: 9-18.
[14] Gomezmarquez, J.L., Pena-Mendoza, B., Salgado-ugarte, I.H. and Guzman-arroyo, M. (2003). Reproductive aspects of Oreochromis niloticus (Perciformes: Cichlidae) at Coatetelco lake, Morelos, Mexico. International Journal of Tropical Biology. 51(1): 221-228.
[15] Gupta, B.K., Sarkar, U.K., & Bhardwaj, S.K. (2013). Reproductive Biology of Indian Silurid Catfish Ompok pabda in River Gomti. Journal of Environmental Biology.35: 345-351.
[16] Gupta, J. P. & Srivastava, S. P. (2001). Maturity determination by gonadosomatic index during annual reproductive cycle in Passer domesticus. Environmental ecology.191: 216-218.
[17] Gupta, S. (2014). Feeding and Breeding Biology of Mystus vittatus: A Review. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies. 2(1): 128-130.
[18] Gupta, S., and Banerjee, S. (2013). Studies on reproductive biology of Mystus tengara (Ham-Buch., 1822), a freshwater catfish of West Bengal, India. International Journal Aquatic Biology.1(4): 175-184.
[19] Hostache, G., & Mol, J.H. (1998). Reproductive biology of the neotropical armoured catfish Hoplosternum littorale (Siluriformes - Callichthyidae): a synthesis stressing the role of the floating bubble nest. Aquatic Living Resource. 11(3):173-185.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0990-7440(98)80114-9
[20] Islam, A., Ahmed, F.R., Ashraful, M.H., Hasan, S.J., A.S.M. Tanbirul, A.S.M.H., Khan, A.B.S., Rahman, A., and Mahmud, Y. (2021). Fecundity and gonadosomatic index of grey eel catfish, Plotosus canius in the Mid-Southern coast of Bangladesh.Bangladesh Journal of Fisheries Research. 20(1-2): 69-77.
[21] Iram, F., Bhat, F.A., Balkhi, M.H., Shah, T.H., Qadri, S., Aalia, S. and Talia, S. (2018). Study on gonadal maturation of Schizothorax labiatus mcclelland inhabiting river jhelum, kashmir. Journal Of Coldwater Fisheries. 1(1): 97-102.
[22] Kjesbu, O.S., P. Solemdal, P. Bratland, and M. Fonn. (1996).Variation in annual egg production in individual captive Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 53: 610-620.https://doi.org/10.1139/f95-215
[23] Lagler, K.F. (1956). Enumeration of fish eggs. In: Freshwater Fishery Biology. Natural Science. 5:106-110.
[24] Le Cren ED. The length-weight relationship and seasonal cycle in gonad weight and condition in the perch (Perca fluviatilis). Journal of Animal Ecology. 20: 201-219.https://doi.org/10.2307/1540
[25] Lone, K.P., and Hussain, A. (2009). Seasonal and age-related variations in the ovaries of Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822): A detailed gross and histological study of gametogenesis, maturation and fecundity. Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 41(3): 217-239.
[26] Malla, S., and Banik, S. (2015). Reproductive biology of an endangered catfish, Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1794) in the lotic waterbodies of Tripura, North-East India. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies. 2(4): 251-260.
[27] Marteinsdottir, G., and Steinarsson, A. (1998). Maternal influences on the size and viability of Iceland cod Gadus morhua eggs and larvae. Journal of Fish Biology. 52: 1241.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1998.tb00969.x
[28] Morgan, M. J. (2008). Integrating Reproductive Biology into Scientific Advice for Fisheries Management. Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science. 41: 37-51.https://doi.org/10.2960/J.v41.m615
[29] Prasad, L., Dwivedi, A. K., Dubey, V. K., & Serajuddin, M. (2014). Reproductive biology of freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793) from river Varuna (A tributary of Ganga River) in India. Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health. 11:69-80.
[30] Qasim, S.Z. and Qayyum, A. (1963). Fecundities of some freshwater fish. Proceedings of the National Institute of Sciences of India. 29: 373-382.
[31] Ragheb, E. (2016). Reproductive biology of Catfish Chrysichthys auratus, Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809, (Family: Bagridae) from Damietta branch of the River Nile,Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research. 42: 349-356.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejar.2016.07.002
[32] Rahman, A., Hossain, M.A., Ullah, R., & Iqbal, M.M. (2020). Reproductive biology of Gagora catfish (Arius gagora) at Meghna River system, Kushiara River, Bangladesh. International Journal of Aquatic Biology. 8(6): 383-395.
[33] Rijnsdorp, A. D. (1989). Maturation of male and female North Sea plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.). Journal du Conseil / Conseil Permanent International pour l'Exploration de la Mer. 46: 35-51.https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/46.1.35
[34] Saleha, j. and Molina, M.A. (2016). Reproductive biology of Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794) in the Padma River, Bangladesh. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies. 4(5): 666-669.
[35] Saliu, J.K., Ogu, J. and Onwuemene, C. (2007). Condition factor, fat and protein content of five fish species in Lekki Lagoon. Nigeria Life Science Journal. 4(2): 54-57.
[36] Shafat, S., Bhat, F.A., Balkhi, M.H., Najar, A.M., Mudasir. H. (2016). Reproductive Traits of Schizothorax niger Heckel, 1838 in Dal Lake, Kashmir. SKUAST Journal of Research. 18(2): 138-145.
[37] Shasi, B. S. & Singh, U. N. (1998). Cytochemical investigation on the male accessory reproductive gland of insect A. domeslid. Environmental Ecology.16: 861-864.
[38] Shoko, A.P., Limbu, S.M., Mrosso., H.D.J., and Mgaya, Y.D. (2015). Reproductive biology of female Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) reared in monoculture and polyculture with African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus. SpringerPlus. 4: 275.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-015-1027-2
[39] Stearns, S. C. (1992). The evolution of life history strategies. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 249.
[40] Tracey, S.R., Lyle, J. and Haddon, M. (2007). Reproductive biology and per-recruit analyses of striped trumpeter (Latris lineata) from Tasmania, Australia: Implications for management. Fisheries Research. 84: 358-368.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2006.11.025
[41] Tharwat, A.A. (2000). Reproduction of the African Catfish Clarias gariepinus inhabitang the River Nile in Egypt. Bulletin Faculty of Agriculture Cairo-university. 51: 411-430.https://doi.org/10.21608/ejarc.2000.227123
[42] Tyor, A.K., and Pahwa, K. (2017). Ovarian Development of African Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) from Delhi Segment of River Yamuna. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science.12(3): 117-126.https://doi.org/10.3923/jfas.2017.117.126
[43] Reproductive biology of gray-eel catfish, Plotosus canius, in the coastal waters of Port Dickson, Peninsular Malaysia, B.I. Usman, S.M.N. Amin, A. Arshad and M.K. Abu Hena.
