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.     

Analysis of length‐weight relationship of sympatric hill stream teleosts Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton, 1807) and Barilius vagra (Hamilton, 1822) from Garhwal Himalaya,India

The present study describes the length–weight relationships (LWRs) of two important ornamental hill stream fishes, Barilius bendelisis and Barilius vagra (Hamilton), of northern India. A total of 630 specimens were collected from January to June 2011 in a spring‐fed stream in Garhwal Himalaya, India. Information regarding LWRs of these species was not yet available in FishBase.     

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).     

Length‐weight relationship and relative condition factor of five indigenous fish species from Torsa River,West Bengal,India

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) for five indigenous fish species under five genera and two families, namely Cyprinion semiplotum (McClelland, 1839), Barilius barna (Hamilton, 1822), Barilius barila (Hamilton, 1822), Gagata sexualis Tilak, 1970 and Pseudolaguvia shawi (Hora, 1921) were studied from Torsa River in West Bengal, India. Sampling was done at quarterly intervals from November, 2015 to December, 2016 and a total of 701 fish specimens were collected using cast nets (mesh size of 15–20 mm), gill nets (mesh size 20–35 mm) and bamboo traps. In the present study, b value ranges from 2.686 to 3.268. LWRs for these fish species (except P. shawi) have not been reported in FishBase. A new maximum length has been recorded for P. Shawi and G. sexualis. The relative condition factor (Kn) values was found to range from 1.004 to 1.028.     

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.     

Length–weight and length–length relationship of Thryssa purava (Hamilton, 1822), Thryssa polybranchialis Wongratana, 1983 and Thryssa mystax (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) from Chilika lagoon,India

Current study provides basic information on Length–weight relationship (LWR) and length‐length relationship (LLR) of three fish species of genus Thryssa (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) i.e., Thryssa purava (Hamilton, 1822), Thryssa polybranchialis Wongratana, 1983 and Thryssa mystax (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) from Chilika Lagoon, India. Samples were collected during the monsoon (July) and post‐monsoon (November) seasons in 2016 and during the pre‐monsoon season (May) in 2017, using screen barrier nets (mesh size 8–18 mm) and gill nets (mesh size 14 and 16 mm). The b values were determined from LWRs as 3.026 for Thryssa purava, 3.326 for Thryssa polybranchialis and 3.081 for Thryssa mystax.     

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) of four freshwater fish species from the Brahmaputra and Barak river basins,northeast India

The present study describes the length‐weight relationships (LWRs) were determined for four fish species, collected from the Brahmaputra and Barak river basins in northeast India using cast nets (2.5 × 1 m; 10–15 mm mesh size) and gillnets (30 × 0.9 m; 5–10 mm mesh size), from June 2016 to July 2017. The b values in LWRs were determined as 2.70 for Badis tuivaiei Vishwanath & Shanta, 2004, 2.93 for Canthophrys gongota (Hamilton, 1822), 2.62 for Glyptothorax botius (Hamilton, 1822), and 3.22 for Gogangra viridescens (Hamilton, 1822).     

Genetic characterization of two hill stream fish species Barilius bendelisis (Ham.1807) and Barilius barna (Ham.1822) using RAPD markers

Genetic structure of four wild populations of two hill stream fishes Barilius bendelisis (Ham.1807) and B. barna (Ham. 1822) from Uttarakhand, India, was studied using RAPD markers. Eight selective primers provided distinct and consistent RAPD profiles in both the species, producing a total of 47 and 35 scorable bands in B. bendelisis and B. barna respectively. The bands in the range 666–4,830?bp were scored for consistent results. The RAPD profiles generated by all the eight primers revealed varying degrees of polymorphism (25.00–50.00?%). The average genetic diversity (h) was estimated as 0.1661 and 0.1606 among the four populations of B. bendelisis and B. barna respectively.     

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.     

Length–weight relationships of two cyprinid fish species,Crossocheilus latius (Hamilton, 1822) and Garra gotyla gotyla (Gray, 1830) from the Ganga River Basin,India

This study provides length–weight relationship (LWR) information for two fish species (family Cyprinidae), Crossocheilus latius (Hamilton, 1822) and Garra gotyla gotyla (Gray, 1830), from a tributary of the Ganga River Basin, India. Both species had no previous LWR estimates as per Fishbase 2014.     

Length‐weight relationships of five fish species collected from Ranganadi River (Brahmaputra River tributary) in Assam,India

Length‐weight relationships (LWR) are presented for five fish species: Laubuka laubuca (Hamilton, 1822); Aspidoparia jaya (Hamilton, 1822); Channa gachua (Hamilton, 1822); Acanthocobitis botia (Hamilton, 1822) and Badis badis (Hamilton, 1822) collected from the Ranganadi River in the Lakhimpur district of Assam, India. There were no prior LWR data regarding three of these species.     

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.     

Length–weight relationships of four indigenous freshwater fish species from Khalsi wetland in lower Ganga basin,West Bengal,India

The length‐weight relationships of four indigenous freshwater fishes Parambassis lala (Hamilton, 1822), Trichogaster lalius (Hamilton, 1822), Puntius terio (Hamilton, 1822), and Pethia phutunio (Hamilton, 1822) were determined. Fish samples were collected during December 2013 to May 2015 from Khalsi, a floodplain wetland along the tributary of the River Ganges in West Bengal state, India using different types of gear (castnets, gillnets and drag nets, stretched mesh sizes of 15–20 mm, 20–30 mm and 5–10 mm, respectively). This is the first report on the length–weight relationship parameters of these four species.     

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 relationships of three fish species from the Jatinga River (Barak drainage) in Assam,India

The present study reports the Length‐Weight relationships of three freshwater fish species, Amblyceps laticeps (McClelland, 1842), Danio dangila (Hamilton, 1822) and Lepidocephalichthys berdmorei (Blyth, 1860), based on monthly collections between November 2016 and October 2017. Fishes were collected from selected sampling sites along the Jatinga River (a tributary of the Barak River drainage) using cast nets (2.5 m; mesh size: 1.0–1.5 cm) and electrofishing device (Safari Surveyor, 12 V 7 amp). Estimated b values were 2.78 for A. laticeps, 3.19 for D. dangila and 2.92 for L. berdmorei respectively.     

Length–weight relationship of six indigenous fish species from Deepor beel,a Ramsar site in Assam,India

Length–weight relationships for six small indigenous fish species, namely: Trichogaster chuna (Hamilton, 1822), Trichogaster lalius (Hamilton, 1822), Trichogaster fasciata Bloch & Schneider, 1801, Chanda nama Hamilton, 1822, Parambassis lala (Hamilton, 1822), and Macrognathus aral (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) were studied for the first time from Deepor beel, a Ramsar site (589 ha water spread area) located in Assam, India. A total of 617 fish specimens were collected for the present study on a monthly basis from February to August in 2016 from landing centres adjoining the beel. In the present study, b value ranges from 2.778 to 3.215, which is within the normal range. The LWRs for these six fish species from Deepor beel had not yet been reported for FishBase.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships of five threatened fish species from the Jamuna (Brahmaputra River tributary) River,northern Bangladesh

The small indigenous species, namely Ailiichthys punctata (Day, 1871), Botia lohachata (Chaudhuri, 1912), Chanda nama (Hamilton, 1822), Laubuca laubuca (Hamilton, 1822) and Mystus cavasius (Hamilton, 1822), comprise an important component of riverine fisheries of Bangladesh. This study describes the length–weight relationships (LWRs) and length–length relationships (LLRs) of five threatened fishes from the Jamuna River, a distributary of the Brahmaputra River in northern Bangladesh. A total of 919 specimens from five species in five families used for this study were caught by traditional fishing gear, March 2010 through February 2011. The allometric coefficient (b) of the LWRs indicated negative allometric growth in A. punctata, B. lohachata, and C. nama (b < 3.00), but positive allometric growth in L. laubuca and M. cavasius (b > 3.00). Furthermore, the LLRs were highly correlated (r² > 0.978; P < 0.001). This study presents the first reference on LWRs and LLRs for these threatened species in Bangladesh. The results would be useful for sustainable management and conservation of the limited stocks in the Brahmaputra River ecosystem.     

Length–weight relationships of four freshwater cyprinid species from a tributary of Ganga River Basin in North India

This paper provides length‐weight relationships (LWRs) for four freshwater cyprinid fish species, namely Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton, 1807), Bangana dero (Hamilton, 1807), Chagunius chagunio (Hamilton, 1807) and Labeo dyocheilus (McClelland, 1839) from the Kosi River, a tributary of the River Ganga in northern India. Altogether 848 specimens were caught bimonthly (for B. bendelisis) and quarterly for the other three species between March 2013 and December 2014 using cast nets (9 m length, 9 m width and 1/2 cm mesh size). LWRs for two of the four species (B. dero and C. chagunio) are recorded for the first time. The present study results will be useful for fishery researchers, management and conservation in this least‐explored tributary of the Ganga River Basin.     

Length–weight relationships of three fish species from the Bay of Bengal,Bangladesh

The present study describes the length–weight (LWR) of three fish species, Chela cachius (Hamilton, 1822), Coilia ramcarati (Hamilton, 1822) and Sardinella gibbosa (Bleeker, 1849) captured in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh, from December 2014 to November 2015. Fishes were captured with either gill nets (mesh size 2.0–5.0 cm) or set bag nets (mesh size 2.0–4.0 cm). The b values in the study varied from 2.88 (C. ramcarati) to 3.00 (S. gibbosa), with a mean a value of 2.94 at p < .001 for all three species. In addition, the study provides initial information on LWRs for C. cachius and C. ramcarati and maximum length records for C. cachius and S. gibbosa.