- Puntius amphibius, gut content, gastro-somatic index, sex ratio, gonado-somatic index
Abstract
Knowledge on fish biology is essential for improving aquaculture. The present study was focused on the biology of Puntiusamphibius. The fishes were collected from a freshwater body in parlance known as “Arappa”, located in Thalikulam at Thrissur district in Kerala. This water body is in the vicinity of the sea and
debouches into the marine during monsoon season. In the present investigation 106 fishes were collected during March to August 2006. The study revealed that there was no significant difference observed among the length weight relationship of males and females. Composition of gut content showed that it is a selective
feeder of Bacillariophyceae and a pronounced omnivore. The gastro-somatic index of female and male was high during May indicating the active feeding during breeding.The sex ratio between males and females was variable and female dominated over males. The fecundity of fish was proportional to the weight of the ovary. Gonado-somatic index was comparatively high during spawning seasons. This is a preliminary lesson on the reproductive biology and certain distinctive characters such as length-weight and food and feeding habits of Puntius amphibius.