Reproductive and breeding biology of Schizothorax labiatus, a snow trout found in River Jhelum, Kashmir

Abstract

Aim: Schizothorax labiatus is one of the economically valuable food fish among indigenousschizothoracids (snow trouts), inhabiting the Jhelum River system in Kashmir along with other snow trouts of family Cyprinidae. The present study was conducted to understand and bring forward various reproductive traits of S. labiatus inhabiting River Jhelum. Methodology: The investigation was carried on 310 samples (221 males and 89 females) with total length and total weight ranging between 143 to 350 mm and 62 to 449 g, respectively, for a period twelve months. Results: Gonadosomatic index (GSI) was recorded maximum during April for both males (6.19) and females (11.12), indicating that the fish fully matures during this month and spawns during coming months i.e., May when the GSI values start decreasing abruptly. The average values of absolute and relative fecundity in the fish were recorded per gm body weight as 10323 and 42, respectively. Sex ratio was found in 1:0.41 ratio, indicating a significant dominance of males over opposite sex and Lm, i.e., length at first maturity was estimated to be 196 mm and the corresponding age at this length was 2+ years. Interpretation: The fish breeds once in a year in natural/wild habitat. These findings on reproductive biology of the endemic snow trout, and the influence of environmental conditions on breeding biology will serve as a baseline data towards planning seed production and conservation strategies.