Length-Weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Five Wild Freshwater Fish Species from River Ganga in India

The length-weight relationships of 718 fish individuals covering two families, four genera and five freshwater fish species (Labeo rohita, L. calbasu, Cirrhinus mrigala, Catla catla and Chitala chitala) captured in the River Ganga from May 2005 to March 2010. The regression coefficient (b) value ranged from 3.09 for Chitala chitala, to 3.27 for Cirrhinus mrigala, with a mean of 3.16 at p<0.01 for all species. The condition factor (K) varied considerably from 1.06±0.09 and 1.75±0.32, with a mean value of 1.40±0.32. No information regarding length-weight relationships and condition factor of one of our near threatened species, Chitala chitala was available in database of FishBase. So, this study is the first attempt to bring out the growth condition of this important species and other selected cyprinid species in wild habitat for their sustainable fishery management and conservation.