Study of Reproductive Traits of Spiny Eel, Mastacembelus armatus (Mastacembeliforms) from Kalinadi-A Tributary of the Ganges River Basin, India

The population of Mastacembelus armatus was slightly dominated by males. Sex ratio varied with size and change in season. Monthly fluctuations in gonadosomatic index were recorded and five stages of gonad maturity in both sexes were identified. Ova diameter revealed the release of on ly one batch of mature ova during the breeding seas on, which extended from late June to early September. The relative fec undity was 63 eggs cm -1 body length and 29 eggs g -1 body weight. Four predictors of fecundity, body length, body weight, and ovary length and ovary weight were evaluated and regression equations derived. Fish weight proved to be the mos t precise predictor of fecundity. Absolute fecundit y varied between 927-7409 in the specimens of M. armatus ranging between 12.0-48.2 cm in size.