Indian J. Fish., 46(2) : 191-193, Apr.-Jun.

, 1999

Note Length-weight r e l a t i o n s h i p in t h e catfish Horabagrus brachysoma (Gunther)

G. SUNIL KUMAR, T. V. A. MERCEY 1 AND K. C. J O H N Catholicate College, ABSTRACT Horabagrus brachysoma (Gunther) is an endangered catfish endemic to Kerala. In the present study an attempt is made to study the length-weight relationship of this species. It is found that both males and females have an isometric growth pattern. Hence the determined regression equation can be used for calculating the weight of a fish from given length. Horabagrus brachysoma is a bagrid fish t h a t forms the mainstay in the exploited fisheries of the rivers of Kerala. Its distribution is restricted to the rivers of Pampa, Manimala, and Achencoil. It is highly endemic to Kerala. The stock of this species is listed as endangered due to over exploitation and habitat loss (CAMP Report, 1998). Therefore information on the biology of the male and female population of this species is highly essential for a judicial exploitation and management of the resource. No attempt has so far been made to study the biology of this important resource. The length-weight relationship of this species is presented here. Materials for the present study, consisting of 105 males and 116 females (size range - male length 12.7 - 29.1 cm, weight 18.5 - 271.3 g; female length 14.6 c- 30.6 cm, weight 31.6 - 365 g) were collected from the rivers from October 1997 to September 1998. The total length of the fish was taken from the tip of the snout to the end of caudal fin to the nearest millimeters. Weight was taken carefully to the nearest milligrams. The length-weight relationship can be represented by the exponential formula W = aL b where 'a' and 'b' are constants and 'W and 'L' are weight and length respectively. Logarithmic transformation of the data yields a linear equation, log W = log a + b log L. The regression equation w a s calculated separately for males a n d females. (Fig. 1 & 2). The regression equation for male was log W = -2.040 + 3.077 log L (n= 105, r = 0.9294). The regression equation for female was log W = -2.096 + 3.129 log L (n=116, r = 0.9726). The regression coefficients of males and females were compared using students 't' test. It was found t h a t the slopes were not significantly different at 5 % level. Hence the weighted regression coefficient was calculated for both male and female together (slope 3.0975). The elevations were compared and it was found t h a t they were significantly different for male and female (t = 7.5048; P<0.05). Pathanamthitta - 689 645, India

'Present address : College of Fisheries, Panangad, Cochin - 682 506.

G. Sunil Kumar et al.

192

Fig.l. Length - weight relationship (male) The analysis of the result shows t h a t t h e r e g r e s s i o n coefficient is not significantly different from 3. In other words Horabagrus h a s an isometric growth both for males and females. The determined regression equation can be efficiently used for calculating the relative condition factor which is an index for comparing the well being of the fish. This type of relationship is found in ideal fishes which maintains a constant body shape as reported by Brody, 1945; Lagler, 1952; Roundsfell and Everhart, 1953; Brown, 1957 and Balasunder Reddy, 1981.

Fig.2. Length - weight relationship (female)

Acknowledgment
The authors are thankful to Dr. M. V. Mohan, Associate Professor, College of Fisheries, Panangad for his help in the statistical analysis.

References
Balasunder Reddy, P. 1981. Length-weight relationship in Channa punctata (Bloch) (Pisces, Teleostei, Channidae) from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh with a comparison of the relationship of the stock from Aligarh and Guntur. Mastya, 7 : 14-21. Brody, S. 1945. Bioenergetics and Growth. Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 1023 pp.

Length-weight relationship in the catfish Brown, M. E. 1957. Experimental studies on growth. In : The Physiology of Fishes. M. E. Brown (Ed.), Academic Press, New York. p. 361-400. CAMP Report 1998. Conservation Assessment and Management Plan. Workshop Report by Zoo outreach Organisation, CBSG, Indian Edn. Sanjay Molur & Sally Walker and 100 pp.

193 Lagler, K. F. 1952. Freshwater Fishery Biology. Wm. C. Brown Company, Dubuque, Iowa, 421 pp. Roundsfell, G. A and W. H. Everhart 1953. Fishery Science : Its methods and applications. John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York 44.