Journal of Environmental Biology

Studies on the reproductive biology of spiny eel,

Macrognathus aral from upper Assam

Author Details

Santoshkumar Singh Abujam

(Corresponding author)

Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Assam - 786 004, India

e-mail: santosh.abujam@gmail

S.P. Biswas

Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Assam - 786 004, India

Publication Data

Paper received:

21 November 2009

Revised received:

10 August 2010

Re-revised received:

25 September 2010

Accepted:

18 December 2010

Abstract

The one-stripe spiny eel, Macrognathus aral (Bloch and Schneider), has been gaining importance not only as a food fish but also as an aquarium fish for its body shape and behaviour. The overall M:F ratio recorded 1:0.27, both the males and females were mostly mature in May-August. The peak values of gonado somatic ratio (GSR) attained during May for males (1.3) and August for females (12.4) indicating that the fish have only one breeding season during summer. The range of ova diameter was found to vary from 0.3 to 1.4 mm, the absolute fecundity ranged from 250 (21.6 cm / 27.4 g) to 5220.1 (27.2 cm / 66.3 g) while relative fecundity ranged from 9.1 to 128.9.? The 50% maturity is attained in length group of 10.1-14 cm for males and 14.1-18 cm for females. The species is a moderately fecund, isochronal spawner and having a restricted breeding season. The relationship between fecundity and body weight and length has also been discussed.

Key words

Reproductive biology, Macrognathus aral, Stripe spiny eel, Assam

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