Breeding biology, morphometric relationships and condition Factor of Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Hamilton, 1822)

Abstract

Lepidocephalichthys guntea, commonly known as loach, is a popular freshwater fish found in various water bodies. This study collected 210 specimens (148 females, 62 males) from fish markets in Noakhali, Bangladesh, to measure various length, weight, gonado-somatic index (GSI), fecundity and condition factor. To establish correlations, the relationships between length-length, length-weight, and GSI with both length and weight were analyzed. Body weight ranged from 1.99 to 8.89 g (mean 4.21 ± 1.49 g), and total length from 6.5 to 10.3 cm (mean 7.91 ± 0.77 cm). GSI peaked in June (8.63±1.16%), followed by May (6.58±0.89%), with the lowest values in September (0.01%). Mean fecundity was 7415.3±1168.54 in May and June (spawning season). The condition factor (K_F) was highest (1.04) in fish between 9.5–10.4 cm and lowest (0.87) in the 7.5–8.4 cm group. The coefficient of correlation (r²) values showed a strong positive relationship between body weight (BW) and both total length (TL) and standard length (SL). Moderate positive correlations were found between BW and head length (HL), and BW and body circumferences (BD) in pooled and female samples. However, in male, the correlations for BW vs. HL, BW vs. BD, as well as TL vs. HL and TL vs. BD, were asymmetrical. The relationships between GSI and both BW and gonad weight (GW) showed moderate positive correlations. Conversely, the coefficient of correlation between GSI and TL in the pooled sample, and GSI with both TL and BW in males, were indicating weak correlations. This study will provide valuable insights for conservation policymakers and hatchery owners, aiding in efforts to prevent the extinction of this species in the wild.