Reproductive cycle of the endemic and threatened fish Puntius shalynius (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in Meghalaya, India

Abstract

Puntius shalynius is a highly endemic freshwater minor carp that is economicallyimportant and is threatened because of its ornamental value. The present investigationevaluated this barb gonadal maturation, based on morphology and spawning of this species inthe Umiam river, Meghalaya, India. The population of this indigenous fish has declined due toits fragmented distribution and exploitation as an ornamental fish. The reproductive cycle ofP. shalynius was studied for the first time. A total of 609 fish samples were randomlycollected from the river for a period of two years during January 2010 and December 2011.Five maturity phases (rest, primary growth, secondary growth, ripe and spent) were observedon the basis of ovarian and testicular macroscopic evaluation throughout the annual cycle.Peak spawning activity was observed in the month of June/July and it coincided with the startof the monsoon season. The study showed that the fish spawns once in a year with singlespawning peak and that the species is a low fecund fish. It is important to conserve thisspecies for its unique ecological value and urgent management policies should promote itssustainable utilization.