Length-weight relationship, relative condition factor and food and feeding habits of Channa striata from wetlands of Nadia district, West Bengal.

Abstract

Samples of 226 numbers of Channa striata were examined during October, 2003 to May, 2004 to find out length-weight relationships, relative condition factor and food and feeding habits. Total length of the fish sample ranged from 130-400 mm and weight 65-955 g. The species was categorized into two group's viz., Group I (< 200 mm) and Group II ( 200 mm) for convenience of interpretation. The length weight relationship was recorded as W = 0.0072 L3.104 for the Group I and W = 0.0068 L3.060 for Group II. The 'b' value was recorded as 3.104 and 3.060 for the Group I and Group II specimens respectively. The growth of the fish was found to be isometric because 'b' value was not significantly different (P<0.05) from 3. The relative condition factor (Kn) was ranged from 1.02 to 1.22. Significance difference (P<0.05) was found in Kn value during different months. Food and feeding habits revealed fishes were the principal food items followed by insects and crustacean indicating Channa striata is a carnivore, predatory and bottom dwelling fish.