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BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN) 2010, 56 (1&2), 1-8

PK ISSN 0006-3096

Growth performance of hatchery reared golden mahseer


(Tor macrolepis) at Sialkot, Pakistan.
ANSER MAHMOOD CHATTA & MUHAMMAD AYUB
Fisheries Research & Training Institute, Department of Fisheries Punjab, Lahore.

ABSTRACT

The weight-length and condition factor parameters of hatchery reared Golden


Mahseer, Tor macrolepis were analyzed. Log transformed regressions were used to test
the growth performance. It was observed that growth in weight was almost proportional to
the cube of its length (isometric): log W = -5.045 + 3.143 log TL. The value of the slope b
= 3.143 coincides with the slope b = 3.0 for an ideal symmetrical fish. The condition factor
(K) shows statistically significant relationship with both length and weight i.e. as fish grows
K increases with increasing length or weight.

Key words: Growth, Tor macrolepis, weight-length, condition factor

INTRODUCTION

Golden Mahseer, the king of Himalayan fishes is a renowned, high


valued game and food fish of South Asian countries including Pakistan,
distributed in most Trans-Himalayan countries ranging from Afghanistan to
Myanmar (McDonald, 1948; Day, 1958; Desai, 1994). Mahseer inhibits torrential
waters and mid-hill lakes (Shrestha, 1981; 1991). It is known as pride of Anglers
(Mirza & Bhatti, 1996). There are two species of mahseer known to occure in
Indus River System in Pakistan, the Zobi Mahseer Naziritore zhobensis and
Golden Mahseer Tor macrolepis (Mirza, 2004). Natural population of Mahseer is
declining in all parts of its geographic distribution (Bista et al., 2006). This fish is
now recognized as a critically endangered species in many countries. The major
possible factors for the depletion of Mahseer stocks are degradation of
environmental conditions of water bodies, indiscriminate fishing, industrial
pollution, use of explosives, poisons and electro fishing, introduction of exotic fish
species, and low fecundity rate (Das & Joshi, 1994; Rehman et al., 2005).
Growth of Mahseer in captivity is less than in nature (Shrestha, 1997). Fisheries
Department Punjab successfully did artificial breeding of Mahseer a few years
back. Now further research is being undertaken to develop culture techniques to
introduce this fish species in commercial aquaculture system.
Present study deals with the weight-length and condition factor
relationship of Mahseer. This study has applied value in fish biology (Salam et
al., 2005). The weight-length relationship provides a parameter to calculate an
index commonly used by fisheries biologists to compare the “condition factor” or
“well being” of a fish (Bagenal & Tesch, 1978).
Several studies on length-weight relationship have been carried out in
other parts of the world (LeCren, 1951; Jhingran, 1952 & 1968; Chakrbborty &
Singh, 1963; Saigal, 1964; Lal & Dwivedi, 1965; Khan, 1972; Willis, 1988;
Wootton, 1998). This topic has also received attention in Pakistan (Javaid &
2 A. M. CHATTA & M. AYUB BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)

Akram, 1972; Salam & Janjua, 1991; Chatta & Salam, 1993; Salam et al., 1994;
Naeem, et. al., 2000; Salam et al., 2005).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred seventy (170) freshwater hatchery reared Golden Mahseer


Tor macrolepis were sampled during April to August at Fish Nursery Kotly Araian
District Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan. Their size ranged from 3.70-22.0 cm in length
and 0.33-105.00 g in body weight. Fish were caught by using cast net early
morning before feeding, selected at random and transported live to Lab. Total
length measured form the tips of the maxilla to the last caudal fin ray fitted with a
millimeter scale to nearest 0.1 cm by using Perspex measuring tray and weight to
0.01g with electronic digital balance (Salam et al., 1993; Naeem & Salam, 2004).
3
Condition factor (K) was calculated using formula K = 100 x W/L following
Weatherley & Gill, 1987. Statistical Analysis including regression analysis and
correlation was done using statistical program, SAS.

RESULTS

The relationship between wet body weight (W) and total length (TL) is
b b
exponential (Fig.1) having the general from; Y = aX or W= aL . Whereas Y is
independent and X is dependent variable, a is intercept and b is power. When
the data is transformed into logarithmic from, a linear relationship is obtained
(Fig.2) with high correlation coefficient (r = 0.998; P<0.001) having the general
formula; Log10 W = Log10 a + b Log10 TL
The values of these constants and other regression parameters are
given in the Table-I. The regression coefficient of b = 3.143 when compared to b
= 3.0 (an isometric slope) was found to be similar. It is therefore concluded that
growth in weight of Golden Mahseer is directly proportional (isometric) to
increasing length.
Condition factor, “K” when computed against total length and body
3
weight using formula K = 100 W/L , it shows statistically significant relationship
(Fig. 3 & 4) both with length and weight i.e. as fish grows K increases with
increasing length or weight. The values of regression parameters of condition
factor (K) on log total length (TL) and log wet body weight are given in the Table-
II.
Table 1: Regression parameters of log wet body weight (W) on log total
length (TL) for Golden Mahseer, Tor macrolepis.

Size Correlation S.E. T-value


Regression equation N range(cm) coefficient (b) When
(r) b=3
Log W = log -5.045+3.143 log TL 170 3.70-22.00 0.998*** 0.117 0.74 n.s.
n.s. = P>0.05
*** = P<0.001
Vol. 56 (1&2) Growth Performance of Golden Mahseer 3

Table 2: The regression parameters of condition factor (K) on log total


length (TL) and log wet body weight for Golden Mahseer Tor
macrolepis.

Size Correlation S.E.


Regression equation N (cm) coefficient (r) (b)
K = 0.765+0.0117 TL 170 3.70-22.00 0.569*** 0.106
K = 0.830+0.0025 W 170 3.70-22.00 0.553*** 0.108

n.s. = P>0.05
*** = P<0.001

Table 3: Weight-Length Relationship for Different Fish Species from


Different Locations

Fish Species Slope (b) Source


Catfish
Rita rita Immature 2.84 Lal & Dwivedi, 1965
Mature 2.42 -do-
Mystus vitatus 3.14 Javaid & Akram, 1972
Wallago attu 3.34 Salam et al., 1993
Clarius batrachus 3.33 Sinha, 1975
Onchorhyncus mykis 2.98 Salam et al., 1994
Oreochromis nitoticus 3.10 Naeem & Salam, 2004
Carps
Labeo rohita Immature 3.01 Jhingran, 1952
Ripe female 3.38 Khan, 1972
Farmed 3.99
2.98 Chatta & Salam, 1993
3.07
Cirrhinus mrigala 3.01 Salam & Khaliq, 1992
Catla catla Juvenile 3.39 Jhingran, 1968
Male 3.28
Female 3.19
Crassius auratus Farmed 3.03 Salam & Davies, 1992
Puntius chola 2.80 Salam et al., 2005
Hypophtalmichthys Farmed 2.89 Salam et al., 1993
molitrix 2.92
3.37
Ctenopharyngodon idella 3.09 Salam et al., 1993
Cyprinus carpio 3.17 Salam & Naeem, 2004
Tor macrolephis (Golden 3.143 Present study
Mahseer)
4 A. M. CHATTA & M. AYUB BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)

DISCUSSION

In the present study with Golden Mahseer, the value of b = 3.143 shows
that the fish is growing isometrically with increasing length maintaining constant
proportions throughout its growth assuming that the specific gravity of the fish
does not change.
The literature survey on weight-length relationship shows that the weight
of a fish is considered as a function of its length (Weatherly & Gill, 1987;
Wootton, 1990). If the fish maintains its shape, body proportions and specific
gravity during growth, the value of its length exponent b would be near or equal
to 3.0 expressing isometric growth pattern. A value less then 3.0 is interpreted as
the fish becoming lighter in weight (negative allometery) and greater than 3.0 as
getting heavier (positive allometery) for a particular length with increasing size
(Wootton, 1990). The present study with Golden Mahseer generated the value of
b = 3.143 which is not significantly different from b value 3.0 and thus the cube
law appears to be followed in this population during growth and therefore
conforms the cube law.
The cube law may be held in some species as in the present study
(Salam and Janjua, 1991; Salam & Davies, 1992; Salam & khaliq, 1992; Salam
et al., 2005). These results show that Golden Mahseer being indigenous species
is not only growing comfortably in our hilly areas but can also grow in pond
culture system of Punjab, Pakistan, while many species have been found
violating the cube law (Javaid & Akram, 1972; Salam & Mahmood, 1993 Salam
et al., 1994).
Condition factor (K) shows increasing trend with increasing length or
weight. In the present study, slope of weight-length relationship i.e. b = 3.143
although not significant shows slightly increasing trend in weight and resultantly
increasing K value with the increase in weight and length.
Keeping in view the multiple factors affecting growth, the interpretation is
a complicated matter unless more studies are conducted on weight-length
relationship of Golden Mahseer under different ecosystems, sex, feeding,
maturity and seasonal variations to understand the mechanism of growth.
Present study may act as first step to generate interest in this kind of research on
this important game and food fish of Pakistan.
Vol. 56 (1&2) Growth Performance of Golden Mahseer 5

Fig. 1 Fig. 2
250 2.5

2
200
1.5

Log Body Weight


Body Weight

150
1

100 0.5

50 0
0 0.5 1 1.5
-0.5
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 -1
Total Length Log T Length

Fig. 3 Fig. 4

1.6

1.4
1.6

1.2
1.4
Condition Factor
Condition Factor

1.2 1

1
0.8
0.8
0.6
0.6

0.4
0.4

0.2 0.2

0
0
-1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
0 0.5 1 1.5
Log Body Weight LogTotal Length

Fig., 1: The relationship between wet body weight (g) and total length (cm) in
Golden Mahseer Tor macrolepis. Each point represents a single fish.
Fig., 2: The relationship between log wet body weight (g) and log total length
(cm) in Golden Mahseer Tor macrolepis. Each point represents a single
fish.
Fig., 3: The relationship between total length (cm) and condition factor in Golden
Mahseer Tor macrolepis.
Fig., 4: The relationship between total weight (g) and condition factor in Golden
Mahseer Tor macrolepis.
6 A. M. CHATTA & M. AYUB BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)

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