Synchronicity of Condition Factor with Reproductive Development in Rainbow Snakehead (Channa bleheri Vierke, 1991)

Abstract

Background: Condition factor is an important factor to determine the general well being of any species. It is influenced by different factors like feeding, age of the fish, season, development of gonads etc. Reproductive development on other hand is a crucial factor in determining the condition of fish as gonad weight has certain impact on increasing the weight of fish as well as the condition of the fish. The experiment was thus to determine whether there is any synchronicity of reproductive development in the near threatened snakehead Channa bleheri with respect to its condition factor value.Methods: The condition of C. bleheri was closely monitored based on lenth-weight data round the year. The gonadal development of the species was determined calculating the Gonado-Somatic Ratio (GSR) as well as histological observation of the gonads.Result: It was found that the value of condition factor was directly proportional to the gonadal development which signifies the importance of gonad development in determining the fish condition. As there are many established factors that determine a fish condition, the inputs drawn out from the reproductive development can help to determine the condition of the fish.