Length-weight relationship condition factors, Gut content analysis and gastro-somatic index of Olive Barb (Puntius Sarana) in Danda River, Bhairahawa, Nepal

Abstract

In fisheries assessment, Length-Weight relationship (LWRs), condition factor and gut content are crucial because they reveal information about fish development, general health and fitness. Length-Weight relationship and gut content analysis of 101 specimens of Puntius sarana from the month of November 2021 to June 2022 from the river Danda, Rupandehi were analyzed. The result depicts that almost all specimens showed negative allometric growth (b<3, t test, p<0.05). The coefficient of determination fluctuated from 0.147 to 0.904 and correlation coefficient between 0.48 to 0.923. Significant correlation and regression observed in all months (p< 0.05) except in the month of November (p> 0.05). The condition factor fluctuated between 1.186 to 4.3 indicating wellbeing of fish in all observed months. The gut content of fish was analyzed using Qualitative and Quantitative methods. The stomach was found to be containing various kinds of phytoplankton, algae, zooplankton, insect parts, mud, dried leaves etc. Among all content Chlorophyceae (47%) dominated the stomach followed by Bacillariophyceae (44%) whereas animal content like insect antennae, copepod eggs, miscellaneous items like mud, dried leaves, found very less in amount. Gastro somatic index of P. sarana fluctuated between 3.51 to 7.71. High GSI is observed in the month of November and low in the month of June due to the spawning period of P. sarana. Based on this research, analysis of a variety of parameters, such as development stage, gonad maturity is needed, Stomach content identification up to species level would be better.