Reproductive cycle of the critically threatened Cyprinid fish Puntius vittatus

ABSTRACT

The females were significantly bigger than males at all seasons of the year, and there was a preponderance of females only in spawning months; otherwise, both sexes were found in almost equal numbers. The males matured at a smaller size, 2.5cm SL, than the females, 3.1-3.5 cm SL. The size of the largest mature male was 3.25cm in total length and 2.65 grams in live weight, and that of the largest mature female was 5.22cm in total length and 3 grams in live weight. The maximum GSI of a mature female fish during the spawning season was 3.5%, and that of a mature male was 3.4. The highest value of condition factor of a mature female was 2.9, and that of 0a mature male was 2.6 during the breeding month. The analyses of all these reproductive traits of P.vittatus pinpoint the exact spawning season of the fish and also its reproductive capacity to enable one to employ this species in fish farming practice.

Keywords: Puntius vittatus, reproductive cycle, Gonadosomatic index