Length–weight relationships of Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton, 1807), Barilius shacra (Hamilton, 1822) and Barilius barna (Hamilton, 1822) from Manas River in Assam,India

The present study describes the length–weight relationships (LWRs) for three ornamental hill stream fish species from the Manas River in Assam, India, namely, Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton, 1807), Barilius shacra (Hamilton, 1822), and Barilius barna (Hamilton, 1822). Fishes were collected on a monthly basis from March 2015 to February 2016 with cast nets (270 cm, 1.2 cm) and gillnets (7,500 × 130 cm, 5 cm). This is the first information on LWR data for two of the species.     

Length‐weight relationships of Barilius barila (Hamilton, 1822), Opsarius tileo (Hamilton, 1822) and Cyprinion semiplotum (McClelland, 1839) collected from Manas River in Assam,India

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) are presented for three hill stream fish species belonging to the family Cyprinidae namely, Barilius barila (Hamilton, 1822), Opsarius tileo (Hamilton, 1822) and Cyprinion semiplotum (McClelland, 1839). Fishes were collected on a monthly basis from January 2016 to December 2017 with the help of cast net (270 cm length, 1.2 cm mesh size) and gillnet (7,500 cm length × 130 cm depth, 5 cm mesh size) from the Manas river in Assam, India.. A new length record for the FishBase LWR database was observed in B. barila.      

Length weight relationships of two small indigenous cyprinid fishes,Osteobrama cotio (Hamilton, 1822) and Salmophasia phulo (Hamilton, 1822) from Panchet Reservoir,Damodar River (tributary of River Ganga), India

Length–weight relationships were determined for two small indigenous cyprinid fishes: Osteobrama cotio (Hamilton, 1822) and Salmophasia phulo (Hamilton, 1822) collected from Panchet reservoir, Damodar River, India. About 143 specimens of Osteobrama cotio (5.2–10.4 cm TL) and 113 specimens of Salmophasia phulo (2.9–8.2 cm TL) were collected from November 2014 to June 2016 using gillnets of mesh size ranging from 25 to 120 mm (STR) and dragnets of mesh size 10–20 mm (STR). No previous information on LWRs for these two species from an Indian reservoir was available in the literature.     

Morphological variations among four riverine populations (Bangladesh) of endangered catfish Rita rita (Hamilton, 1822)

The morphological variation of the endangered catfish Rita rita was studied based on meristic, length–weight relationship (LWR), traditional (TRA) and truss (TRU) distance based morphometric analysis of 200 juveniles collected from the Old Brahmaputra, Jamuna, Meghna and Kangsa rivers. Data were subjected to Kruskal–Wallis test for meristic counts, t test for LWR, univariate ANOVA, multivariate discriminant function analysis and canonical analysis (CA) both for TRA and TRU morphometric characters to discriminate the populations. Kruskal–Wallis test denoted that only one (caudal fin rays) out of six meristic counts was significantly (p < .05) variable among the stocks. One sample t test clarified that all parameters of LWR were significantly (p < .05) differentiated in all stocks. Univariate ANOVA revealed significant (p < .001, p < .01, and p < .05) differences among the four stocks in 14 of 15 standardized TRA traits and 17 of 25 TRU distances, respectively. The first discriminant function (DF1) explained 59.4% and 68.0% of total variance, while 30.6% and 23.1% by DF2, 10.0% and 8.9% by DF3 for TRA and TRU features, respectively among the stocks. CA showed a clear separation of the stocks both for TRA and TRU measurements. The overall random assignment of individuals into their original groups was high as 78.5% for TRA and 78.0% for TRU characters, respectively, indicating that all the four stocks are highly divergent from each other. The results exposed existence of four distinct phenotypic stocks of R. rita in the tested rivers.     

Embryonic development of the threatened freshwater pipefish Microphis deocata (Hamilton, 1822)

The present study provides the first comprehensive embryonic development of the freshwater Syngnathid fish species, Microphis deocata (Hamilton), a Near Threatened pipefish endemic to the Brahmaputra River drainage in Northeast India and Bangladesh. Microphis deocata is a Gastrophori species as the males develop an abdominal brood pouch. Mature individuals were collected and maintained in well-aerated aquaria under controlled conditions to induce natural spawning. The number of eggs within the males' brood pouch ranged from 17 to 22 (for n = 10), measuring 0.7–1.0 mm in diameter. A total of 10 developmental stages could be recognized under four developmental periods namely, early embryogenesis, eye development, snout formation and juvenile. However, sensitivity, and therefore mortality, while handling of this species restricted the study from reporting the exact time intervals for stages following the blastodisc formation ~48 hr post fertilization. A newborn larvae measures ~14 mm and is free-swimming with distinct dorsal fin (with 31–32 rays) and a sector-shaped caudal fin (with 8–9 rays). The study aims to provide baseline information on the embryology of M. deocata in culture condition which will be helpful for future studies on conservation biology, population status and management of this species.     

Distributional records of Tor mahseer Tor tor (Hamilton, 1822) from Southern India

During exploratory surveys in the tributaries (Penganga and Satnala) of Godavari and (Bheema) Krishna basins, specimens of mahseer were collected. The morpho‐meristic characteristics of these specimens conformed to the taxonomic keys for Tor tor. The mitochondrial COI sequences of these specimens clustered with the T. tor specimens from the River Narmada and were distinct from the other mahseer such as T. khudree and T. mussullah, which are known to exist in the rivers of the region. This confirmed the distribution of T. tor in the rivers of peninsular India and indicated an extended distribution of the known range. The major predominating habitat characteristics of collection areas were cobbles mixed with gravel, and a riparian cover of shrubs and trees. The occurrence of fingerling size specimens in the river suggests that the species has adapted and is likely to have established self‐recruiting populations in these rivers.     

Carcass characteristics of marketable size farmed catla,Catla catla (Hamilton, 1822)

The present study investigates carcass traits of farmed freshwater Catla catla for important information in calculating yield and/or providing data for programming machine/manual handling. For this purpose specimens of C. catla ranging from 1880 to 2150 g were collected from grow‐out culture ponds of the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Odisha State, India. Carcass yield, offal yield and carcass cutability were assessed. The percentage of head yield was highest (31.2%) in comparison to other carp species. Gutted yield and final dressed yield of 2 kg market class catla amounted to 85.4 and 54.1%, respectively. The average meat : bone ratio in filleting was reported to be 3 : 9. The middle cut of catla had both the highest total yield percentage and highest meat yield. Dry matter, ether extract and protein percentage was highest in the fore cut followed by the middle and hind cuts.     

Length–weight relationships of Garra birostris Nebeshwar & Vishwanath, 2013, Garra annandalei (Hora, 1921), Johnius coitor (Hamilton, 1822) and Raiamas bola (Hamilton, 1822) from the Brahmaputra River basin,Northeast India

Length–weight relationships (LWRs) for one percoid (Johnius coitor) and three cyprinid (Garra birostris, Garra annandalei and Raiamas bola) fish species from the Brahmaputra River basin in Assam, Northeast India, was studied on a monthly basis from November 2015 to December 2016, using fishing gears namely, cast nets (9′, 1/2″) and gillnets (30 × 0.9 m). No previous record is available on LWR data for three of these species.     

Length‐weight relationship and reproductive parameters of Botia dario (Hamilton, 1822) in Assam,India

The length‐weight relationships, spawning season, sex ratio, size at first maturity and fecundity of Botia dario (Hamilton, 1822), also known as the Bengal loach, were analyzed based on 556 specimens collected from the wetlands of Majuli Island, Assam between June 2012 and May 2013. The sex ratio (M : F) was 1 : 0.68, differing significantly (P < 0.05) from a 1 : 1 ratio. Size at first maturity (L_m50) was estimated as 6.8 cm for males and 7.4 cm for females. Analysis of monthly variations in the gonado‐somatic index (GSI), the monthly proportions of macroscopic gonadal maturity, and the ova diameter suggest a prolonged spawning season of B. dario from May to August, with a peak in July for both males and females (GSI = 15.0 in females; 7.0 in males). Absolute fecundity varied from 2523 to 51 377, with a mean of 18 367 ± 1254 oocytes per ovary. A positive correlation was recorded between total fecundity and body weight (r² = 0.678).     

Carcass traits of two marketable size classes of Pangasius pangasius (Hamilton, 1822)

Carcass and commercial yield traits of Pangasius pangasius were evaluated and morphometric parameters measured along with carcass traits in two marketable weight classes (average ± SD) 1603 ± 49.5 g and 1985.6 ± 56.6 g. The Pangas fish head yield was 14.80% and 15.1% for the 2000 g and 1600 g weight classes, respectively. The offal percentage varied from 8.6 to 8.8 in both weight classes. Pangasius had a significant accumulation of fat deposits in mesenteric tissue and on the lining of the abdominal cavity. Headless (73.2%), head and skinless (68.7%), head, skin and boneless (57.7%) dressing yields were significantly higher in 1600 g than in the 2000 g weight class. The 2000 g weight class category exhibited mesenteric fat (4.3%), dissected subcutaneous and intramuscular fat (10.1%) which was significantly higher than in the 1600 g weight class. The yields of dressing stages were affected mostly by skin (8.3–4.5%) and mesenteric fat (4.3–3.7%), and dissected subcutaneous and intramuscular fat (10.1–6.8%), which is significantly higher in the 2000 g than in the 1600 g category. The later weight class category resulted in more meat yield, and less bone, skin and fat yields.     

Length–weight relationships of Dermogenys pusilla Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1823 (Zenarchopteridae) and Labeo bata (Hamilton, 1822) (Cyprinidae) from the Ganges River (NW Bangladesh)

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) were determined for Dermogenys pusilla (n = 75) and Labeo bata (n = 304) from the Ganges River, northwestern Bangladesh, collected between July 2013 and June 2014, using traditional fishing gear (e.g. cast net, square lift net and gill net). Total length (TL) was measured to 0.1 cm and whole body weight (BW) was taken to the nearest 0.1 g for each individual. The TL varied from 6.60 to 16.10 cm for D. pusilla and 7.90–25.20 cm for L. bata. The BW ranged from 1.20 to 10.90 g for D. pusilla and 4.70–167.30 g for L. bata. All LWRs were highly significant (P < 0.001), with all r² values ≥0.976. Moreover, the present study provides a new record of the maximum length (16.10 cm TL) for the D. pusilla female. The present study can assist in the management of these two endangered species in the Ganges River ecosystem.     

New maximum size records and length–weight relationships for two species,Corica soborna (Hamilton, 1822) and Mystus bleekeri (Day, 1877), from the Ganges River (NW Bangladesh)

This study records new maximum lengths and provides length–weight relationships (LWRs) for two small indigenous fishes, Corica soborna (Hamilton, 1822) and Mystus bleekeri (Day, 1877), from the Ganges River in northwestern Bangladesh. Fishes were sampled sporadically using gill nets and cast nets from August 2015 to July 2016. New maximum recorded lengths weere 5.3 cm total length (TL) for C. soborna and 17.7 cm TL for M. bleekeri. The LWRs were highly significant (p < .001) with r² values >.958. These findings will play a significant role in the fisheries resource management.     

Feeding ecology of a bagrid catfish,Mystus tengara (Hamilton, 1822) in the Tanore wetland of Rajshahi,Northwestern Bangladesh

The feeding ecology of Mystus tengara (Hamilton, 1822) was studied in the Tanore wetland of Rajshahi, northwestern Bangladesh from January 2011 to December 2011. In fish purchased from the local market, a total of 14 713 food items were identified in the stomach contents of 3191 M. tengara specimens, an omnivorous catfish with a diversified feeding strategy including cladocerans, copepods, rotifers, gastropods, green algae, diatoms, insects, ‘small fish remains, fish fry and eggs’ and ‘other’ food items. Insects were the most dominant group of prey throughout the year. Seasonal changes in diet composition were due to the availability of prey items and fish size. Ontogenetic changes were noted between the juveniles and adults. The gut contents of M. tengara showed that the food items were from different layers of the water bodies.     

Length‐weight and length‐length relationships of two gobiid fishes Eleotris fusca (Forster, 1801) and Odontamblyopus rubicundus (Hamilton, 1822) from the Payra River,southern Bangladesh

The present study provides the estimates of length‐weight relationships (LWRs) and length‐length relationships (LLRs) of two gobiid fishes Eleotris fusca and Odontamblyopus rubicundus from the Payra River, southern Bangladesh. Fish samples were collected from the set bagnet (mesh size <2 mm) fishers of the Payra River in July 2016. Allometric coefficient (b) values were 2.95 for E. fusca and 2.76 for O. rubicundus. Additionally, the LLRs were highly significant with r² ≥ .955. While the estimate of the LWR for O. rubicundus includes a substantial larger sample size and thus provides a more reliable LWR than the one published so far, the LWR for E. fusca must be considered as tentative because the sample includes only juveniles for a fish that reaches a maximum standard length more than three times as much. Additional studies are needed to further improve our LWR knowledge base for these fish species.     

Carcass traits of different marketable sizes of rohu,Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

The present study was carried out to investigate the carcass traits of farmed freshwater Labeo rohita in relation to body size as important information to calculate yield and/or support for machine/manual processing. For this purpose ninety specimens were collected for nine weight groups from 600 to 1100 g, each group with a 100 g increment. Specimens were collected from grow‐out culture ponds of the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar. The carcass evaluation technique was followed to evaluate carcass yield, offal yield and carcass cutability. Head size percentage of rohu increased as the body mass increased, which in turn increased the processing yield. Dry matter and ether extract percentage also increased with the body mass; however, moisture percentage showed a decreasing trend. The fore cut showed a distinctly higher ether extract percentage followed by the middle and posterior cuts. There was a good correlation development to describe the relationship between yield traits and body weight.     

Length‐weight and length‐length relationships of Balitora brucei Gray, 1830 and Psilorhynchus balitora (Hamilton, 1822) from the Ranganadi river of Assam,India

The study describes length‐weight relationships (LWRs) and length‐length relationships (LLRs) for two species of fishes, namely Balitora brucei Gray, 1830 and Psilorhynchus balitora (Hamilton, 1822) collected from Ranganadi river in Lakhimpur district of Assam, India for which no LWRs and LLRs are available. While sampling monthly between April 2012 and July 2016, a total of 987 specimens were collected (B. brucei = 427, and P. balitora = 560). Cast nets were used (2 ‐ 10 mm mesh sizes; 2–2.5 m length). The values of the parameter slope (b) in the LWR were determined as 3.194 (male = 3.047 and female = 3.224) for B. brucei and 3.490 (male = 3.480 and female = 3.502) for P. balitora. Present investigation reports new maximum total length for both the fishes.     

Sperm cryopreservation of the critically endangered olive barb (Sarpunti) Puntiussarana (Hamilton, 1822)

The present study focused on development of a sperm cryopreservation protocol for the critically endangered olive barb Puntiussarana (Hamilton, 1822) collected from two stocks within Bangladesh and reared in the Fisheries Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). The sperm were collected in Alsever’s solution prepared at 296 mOsmol kg⁻¹. Sperm were activated with distilled water (24 mOsmol kg⁻¹) to characterize motility. Maximum motility (90%) was observed within 15 s after activation, and sperm remained motile for 35 s. Sperm activation was evaluated in different osmolalities and motility was completely inhibited when osmolality of the extender was ?287 mOsmol kg⁻¹. To evaluate cryoprotectant toxicity, sperm were equilibrated with 5%, 10% and 15% each of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methanol. Sperm motility was noticeably reduced within 10 min, when sperm were equilibrated with 15% DMSO, indicating acute toxicity to spermatozoa and therefore this concentration was excluded in further trials. Sperm were cryopreserved using DMSO at concentrations of 5% and 10% and methanol at 5%, 10% and 15%. The one-step freezing protocol (from 5 °C to −80 °C at 10 °C/min) was carried out in a computer-controlled freezer (FREEZE CONTROL® CL-3300; Australia) and 0.25-ml straws containing spermatozoa were stored in liquid nitrogen for 7–15 days at −196 °C. The highest motility in thawed sperm 61 ± 8% (mean ± SD) was obtained with 10% DMSO. The fertilization and hatching rates were 70% and 37% for cryopreserved sperm, and 72% and 62% for fresh sperm. The protocol reported here can be useful for hatchery-scale production of olive barb. The use of cryopreserved sperm can facilitate hatchery operations, and can provide for long-term conservation of genetic resources to contribute in the recovery of critically endangered fish such as the olive barb.     

Thermal tolerance,growth and oxygen consumption of Labeo rohita fry (Hamilton, 1822) acclimated to four temperatures

A 30 day feeding trial was conducted using a freshwater fish, Labeo rohita (rohu), to determine their thermal tolerance, oxygen consumption and optimum temperature for growth. Four hundred and sixteen L. rohita fry (10 days old, 0.385±0.003 g) were equally distributed between four treatments (26, 31, 33 and 36 °C) each with four replicates for 30 days. Highest body weight gain and lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded between 31 and 33 °C. The highest specific growth rate was recorded at 31 °C followed by 33 and 26 °C and the lowest was at 36 °C. Thermal tolerance and oxygen consumption studies were carried out after completion of growth study to determine tolerance level and metabolic activity at four different acclimation temperatures. Oxygen consumption rate increased significantly with increasing acclimation temperature. Preferred temperature decided from relationship between acclimation temperature and Q₁₀ values were between 33 and 36 °C, which gives a better understanding of optimum temperature for growth of L. rohita. Critical thermal maxima (CTMax) and critical thermal minima (CTMin) were 42.33±0.07, 44.81±0.07, 45.35±0.06, 45.60±0.03 and 12.00±0.08, 12.46±0.04, 13.80±0.10, 14.43±0.06, respectively, and increased significantly with increasing acclimation temperatures (26, 31, 33 and 36 °C). Survival (%) was similar in all groups indicating that temperature range of 26–36 °C is not fatal to L. rohita fry. The optimum temperature range for growth was 31–33 °C and for Q₁₀ values was 33–36 °C.     

Competitive interactions under experimental conditions affect diel feeding of two common aquaculture fish species Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) and Cirrhinus cirrhosus (Bloch, 1795) of southern Asia

The effects of interspecific competition on grazing between two important aquaculture species, mrigal carp Cirrhinus cirrhosis and orangefin labeo Labeo calbasu, in single and in dual combinations were observed in experimental tanks. This study demonstrated that the presence of a competitor did not cause C. cirrhosis to shift its diel feeding patterns. That said, both total food intake and food preference were negatively affected in C. cirrhosis by the presence of a superior competitor, L. calbasu. The feeding patterns of L. calbasu became diurnal in the presence of C. cirrhosus, suggesting highly complex competitive interactions between the two species. That L. calbasu was specifically able to shift circadian feeding patterns to maximize energy intake in the presence of a competitor would suggest that it would be a suitable species to stock in a mixed species aquaculture system.     

Population genetic structure and phylogeography of cyprinid fish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo dero</Emphasis> (Hamilton, 1822) inferred from allozyme and microsatellite DNA marker analysis

We examined population structure of Labeo dero (Hamilton, 1822) from different riverine locations in India using 10 polymorphic allozyme and eight microsatellite loci. For analysis, 591 different tissue samples were obtained from commercial catches covering a wide geographic range. Allozyme variability (An = 1.28–1.43, Ho = 0.029–0.071) was much lower than for microsatellites (An = 4.625–6.125, Ho = 0.538–0.633). Existence of rare alleles was found at three allozyme (MDH-2*, GPI* and PGDH*) and at two microsatellite loci (R-3* and MFW-15*). Deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.05, after the critical probability levels were adjusted for sequential Bonferroni adjustment) could be detected at three loci (EST-1*, -2* and XDH*) whereas, after correction for null alleles, two microsatellite loci (MFW-1*,-15*) deviated from HWE in the river Yamuna. Fst for all the samples combined over all allozyme loci was found to be 0.059 suggesting that 5.9% of the total variation was due to genetic differentiation while microsatellite analysis yielded 0.019 which was concordant to mean Rst (0.02). Hierarchical partition of genetic diversity (AMOVA) showed that greater variability (approx. 95%) was due to within population component than between geographical regions. Based on distribution of genetic differentiation detected by both markers, at least five different genetic stocks of L. dero across its natural distribution could be identified. These results are useful for the evaluation and conservation of L. dero in natural water bodies.