Some aspects of the biology of Trypauchen vagina Bloch and Schneider of Bombay coast

Morphometrics of 14 metric and 6 meristic characters of Trypauchen vagina of Bombay coast is presented. Number of spines and rays of dorsal, anal and pectoral fins differ with earlier studies. Sexual dimorphism in the length of caudal and anal fins was observed. Length weight relationship of males and females have been worked out to be W = 0.00000 687L super(2.8440) and W = 0.00000 2747L super(3.0274) respectively. The fish is a prolific breeder and peak breeding activity occurs in December. The growth rate was found to be 15.20 mm/month.

Studies on the feeding biology of an airbreathing fish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

The food and feeding habits of an air-breathing fish, Heteropneustes fossilis were studied from an eutrophic lake, Hussainsagar, Hyderabad, (Andhra Pradesh, India), during 1981-1983. The major preferred items of food were insect larvae, insects, ostracods, plant material and gastropods. Due to the mixed feeding habits of both plant and animal matter, this species is considered as an omnivorous feeder. Bryozoans were recorded for the first time in the diet of H. fossilis.

Anchorage of air bladder with the interspinous bone of the anal fin in Lactarius lactarius (Bloch and Schneider, 1801)

Specimens of the false trevally (Lactarius lactarius ), 127 to 221 mm in total length, were studied for the mode of anchorage of the air-bladder with the interspinous bone of the anal fin. The 1st and 2nd interspinous bones are fused together into a single piece (named here as the anchor bone) which pierces through the air-bladder, dividing it into two intercommunicating chambers at its upper end, and ultimately articulates with the 10th vertebral bone. The lower end of the bone is broad, fan like with one side affording articulation with the 1st and 2nd anal spines. This is an unique feature of great taxonomical importance to L. lactarius, the only species in the family Lactariidae. The anal fin counts (23-27) and vertebral counts (23) are also given.

Induced breeding, embryonic and larval development in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) in the agro-climatic conditions of Maharashtra

Heteropneustes fossilis was induced bred for the first time in the agro-climatic conditions of Maharashtra, India. The embryonic development was completed within 16-18h after fertilisation. Head and tail ends were distinguishable after 3h and 11-12 somites were visible after 6-7h. The eggs started hatching after 14h of incubation. Average hatching time was 16-18h at 26 degrees C. In first day old pro-larva, notochord was deflected upwards, eyes were darkly pigmented and alimentary canal appeared. In fourth day old post-larva intestinal coiling could be seen and yolk was absorbed. Aerial respiration started by 8th day. The 10 day old post-larva was free swimming and fed voraciously attaining a length of 20 mm in 30 days.

Studies on maturity, spawning and fecundity of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch) off Bombay coast

Studies indicated spawning season of Nemipterus japonicus off Bombay coast (Maharashtra, India), to be during July to December with peak breeding during November to December. Females attained first maturity at the length range 110-120 mm; 50% maturity and spawning occurred at 135 mm within one year of its age. Overall male: female ratio for the entire period of study was 1:1.01. Relationships of fecundity with total length of fish, total ovary weight and per g. fish weight were worked out as F=(-72674.33) L super(739.73); F =65.44 W super(807.33); F=3112.57 W super(22383.27) and F=467.85 W super(4.96) with coefficient of correlation values (r) 0.9090, 0.9443, 0.9911 and 0.8843 respectively.

Acute effect of sumithion on certain blood parameters and mortality rate of fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

The acute toxic effect of the toxicant sumithion (50% E.C.) on mortality rate (after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h), total RBC count and haemoglobin content (after 48 and 72 h) on Heteropneustes fossilis was investigated at four concentrations (9.7, 10.7 and 11.1 ppm). The sumithion treated fishes showed lower RBC and Hb levels than the untreated ones. A gradual decrease in the total RBC counts and Hb contents was recorded with increasing concentration of toxicant after 72 h but the blood showed fluctuating values after 48 h of treatment.

Breeding, age and growth of the freshwater shark Wallago attu (Bloch and Schneider) from the Dhir Beel of the Brahmaputra Basin, Assam, India

The Dhir Beel, one of the major live beels of the Brahmaputra Basin, Assam, has an area of 689 ha and situated in Dhubri district of Assam. The dominance of freshwater shark, Wallago attu (8.10%) in the beel is a striking feature. Restricted breeding of W. attu once a year from June to September was observed. The mean observed length was 37.5, 65.0, 84.5 and 99.0 cm in the 6th, 12th, 18th and 24th months of age respectively. The length growth coefficient (K), the asymptotic length (L infinity ), and the arbitrary origin of the growth curve (t omicron ), for W. attu were estimated to be 0.054484 per month, 136.16 cm and 0.0355 month respectively. The calculated life span (T infinity ) of the fish is 123.86 months (about 10 years). The weight growth parameters were estimated where the monthly growth coefficient (K), the asymptotic weight (W infinity) and the arbitrary origin of the growth curve (t omicron) were found to be 0.0743 per month, 7636.92 gram and 0.431908 month respectively. The length-weight relationship follows the cube law.

Influence of size, station time and satiation amount on prey handling time in Anabas testudineus (Bloch)

Satiation amount, satiation time and handling time of Anabas testudineus (Bloch), an air breathing predatory fish was experimentally estimated using guppy (Lebistes reticulatus) as prey. Weight of the fish and satiation time influenced prey handling time. As satiation time is related to the level of hunger, level of hunger was found to influence handling time of prey.

Predatory behaviour of a snakehead fish (Channa striatus Bloch)

The predatory behaviour of a snake-head, Channa striatus (Bloch) on Labeo rohita fingerlings was studied in the laboratory. The study was conducted with six C. striatus (120 to 210 g and 22 to 28 cm) over 24h a day for 3 weeks. Three different sizes prey of large (2.00g and 5.8cm), medium (1.30g and 4.5cm) and small (0.72g and 3.5cm) were used for the first week and then medium size prey for 2nd and 3rd weeks. All the predators preferred eating the small group of L. rohita although all three size groups of L. rohita offered were available. It was found that the prey fishes remained together aside of the aquarium from the predator. Predator first targeted a prey, drove fast towards it, the prey tried to escape from the predator's attack using a specific route and finally the predator grasped the prey on head first and then engulfed. The handling time ranged between 45 and 50 sec. The time of peak feeding was found in the morning and in the evening of day. When 2 or 3 predators were kept in one aquarium, they engaged in fighting, head on, followed by an attack on the mouth region by the dominant one, and subsequently on the pectoral fin and caudal fin of the defeating one. After 2-3 days they became habituated to remain together and did not involve themselves in fighting.

Studies on the induced breeding and post-larval rearing of shing (Heteropneustes fossilis Bloch)

An experiment was conducted on induced breeding and fry rearing of shing, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) in the Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University for a period of four months from April to July 1994. Hatching rate was calculated at 21.50h and was found to be 45 to 55 % and the survival rate of larvae was 30 to 40 % at 26 to 29°C. Survival rate and growth rate of post larvae were found to be 50 to 60% and 96.6 to 117.2% respectively. Feed-3 (F3) showed the highest survival rate and growth rate of post larvae.

Effect of supplementary feed on the growth of shinghi (Heteropneustes fossilis Bloch)

Effect of two supplementary feed (food A and food B) on the growth of shinghi, Heteropneustes fossilis was observed for 3 months period during winter and summer. Food B containing rice bran 2 g, wheat bran 2 g and blood 10 ml, showed better growth. The net gain in length was 70.04 mm and in weight was 13.82 g. Total net production was observed as 254.00 g/m² with feed A and 345.50 g/m² with feed B.

Predation by Channa striatus (Bloch) on Rana tigrina (Daudin), Puntius gonionotus (Bleekeer) and Labeo rohita (Hamilton) in the laboratory

The growth performance of a predatory snakehead, Channa striatus was tested by supplying tadpoles of Rana tigrina and fingerlings of Puntius gonionotus and Labeo rohita as prey for a period of 21 days in aquaria. Prey consumption by C. striatus was significantly different (P<0.05) for different prey used (T1 - R. tigrina, T2 - P. gonionotus, T3 - L. rohita). Tadpoles of R. tigrina were preferred by the predator (C. striatus) over P. gonionotus and L. rohita although tadpole is nutritionally inferior to each of P. gonionotus and L. rohita. Each predator rayed on 50-330 mg per day per g of their body weight. Fish preyed on tadpoles also showed the highest growth. Significant difference in weight gain was found between T1 and T2 and also between T1 and T3 but no difference was found between T2 and T3. Food conversion ratio (FCR) was found to be lowest in treatment T3 followed by the treatments T2 and T1 respectively.

Assessment of Saurida tumbil (Bloch) stock in the northwest continental shelf water of India

Based on the data collected from New Ferry Wharf, Sassoon Dock and exploratory survey of MFV Saraswati on the Northwest coast of India, the growth, mortality, population and stock parameters of Saurida tumbil is reported in the present communication. The Von Bertalanffy growth function (GF) parameters for growth on length were found to be L∞=49.8 cm, K=0.96/year, t0 = -.141 year. The length at recruitment (lr) is 80 mm. (tr=.167 year) while the length at first capture (lc) for the commercial trawl fishery is 100 mm (tc=0.25 year). The annual fishing mortality coefficient (F) for 1983-85 was 0.43, the natural mortality coefficient (M) was 1.33 and the exploitation ratio (E) was 0.25. The yield per recruit (Y/R) attained the maximum of 54.99 g at F=1.091 for E=0.45 for the present tc at 0.25 year. The annual total stock (P) and standing stock (P) in the exploitation portion at the inshore grounds to a depth of about 50 m were estimated to be 12,811 tons and 6,034 tons respectively. The average annual yield of 2,635 tons at the present F=0.439 (E=0.247) was less than the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for 3,331 tons attainable from the inshore grounds at E=0.45.

A study on food and feeding habits of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch) off Bombay coast

The gut content of Nemipterus japonicus revealed that this fish is a carnivorous bottom feeder, feeding mainly on crustaceans, fishes, salps and polychaetes, with marginal variations in females. The intensity of feeding increased with the advancement of maturity till stage 5 except in stage 3 where the intensity of feeding indicated a decrease.

Preliminary observations on the morphometric characteristics, length weight relationship, food and fedding habits and fecundity of Saurida tumbil (Bloch) off Bombay coast

Fifteen morphometric and four meristic characters of Saurida tumbil were studied and their relationships with total length and head length were established. The length weight relationship worked out to be W= -5.6055 L(super)3.291. The fish is a carnivore, feeding mainly on small fishes, molluscs and crustaceans. Larger fishes are selective feeders on fish. It is a long protracted spawner. Fecundity varied from 6008 to 17384 eggs in specimens of size group 212-420 mm. Fecundity-total length, fecundity-total weight of fish and fecundity - total weight of ovary relationships were worked out to be F=0.9414 L(super)1.6626, F=180.7069 W(super)0.7531 and F=3153.0375 W(super)0.8278 respectively.