Condition factor of Amblypharyngodon chakaiensis Babu and Nair in the Chakai boat channel (Trivandrum-Kerala-India)

Abstract

Condition factor (K) and relative condition factor (K _n ) of Amblypharyngodon chakaiensis Babu and Nair males and females respectively have been studied in relation to the various months of the year and length groups. No significant correlation exists between the proportion of the males in the population and value of condition factor (K). On the basis of K and K _n and the various length groups in respect of males and females are arranged into three classes and their incidence in the pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning seasons were represented. In females K _n showed significant positive correlation with gonadosomatic index. The size at first maturity observed by direct observation of the gonads in females and males agrees with the inflexions on the curve depicting K and K _n with respect to length groups. The influence of feeding intensity onK does not seem to be quite apparent in A. chakaiensis. The steady fall inK in the males seems to be related to the decrease in the percentage occurrence of males of these length group in the sample.