Length-weight relationship and condition factor of Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758 from the river Ganga, Allahabad, India.

Abstract

The study established the length-weight relationship and condition factor of Cyprinus carpio from the river Ganga. Fish samples of 342 having a size of 9.0 cm to 689 mm were studied to establish the lengthweight relationship. The length-weight relationship was established as W = 0.03576 TL2.749815, W = 0.03266 TL2.786091 and W = 0.032738 TL2.780554 for male, female and combined sex, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) was highly significant for male and female, indicating a strong correlation between length and weight (r= 0.91; p<0.001). The regression coefficient a and b were highly significant in both the sexes (p<0.001). The‘t’ test depicted clear deviation from the isometric pattern of growth (b = 3) in male (t = 5.25, p<0.05), female (t = 5.17, p<0.05) and pooled data (t = 7.03, p<0.05). Negative allometric growth pattern (b <3) was observed in male, female and combined sex. The average condition factor was higher in female than male in all months and > 1.0 for male and female, which clearly showed better dwelling condition of the species around the year. The mature common carps were found in all the months. This research could be used to guide to study the ecology and biology of common carp, which may serve as tools for management and conservation of this resource.