International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 6 Issue 3, March-April 2022 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

Seasonal Morphometrics of Gonads in

Air Breathing Fish C.Gachua (Ham.1822)
Navjyoti Ranjan Verma1, Dr. P. K. Roy2
1
Research Scholar, University Department of Zoology,
2
Professor, University Department of Zoology and DEAN, Faculty of Science,
1,2
Tilkamanjhi Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Navjyoti Ranjan

The present study was carried out during the period of different Verma | Dr. P. K. Roy "Seasonal
phases of reproductive cycle in C.gachua i.e. preparatory, pre- Morphometrics of Gonads in Air
spawning, spent and post-spawning. Morphometrics of the gonads Breathing Fish C.Gachua (Ham.1822)"
i.e. the gonadal dimensions observed month wise for a complete year Published in
International Journal
span. The ratio of the avg. Length and weight of the ovary is
of Trend in
recorded maximum during July (3.8cm: 9.5gm) closely followed by Scientific Research
August (2.8cm: 7.4gm). The same is recorded the least in the month and Development
of December (1.0 cm: 2.0 gm). It clearly shows that C.gachua (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-
spawns once in a year i.e. between July-August. It was observed that 6470, Volume-6 | IJTSRD49538
the testis of C.gachua attains its maximum length in the month of Issue-3, April 2022,
July (1.5 cm) closely followed in August (1.3 cm) and is least in the pp.428-435, URL:
month of October to December (0.3 cm). The length: weight ratio of www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd49538.pdf
the species also recorded maximum during July (23.7cm: 56.6 gm)
and is minimum during December (14.5cm: 32.8gm). Similarly avg. Copyright © 2022 by author(s) and
length: avg. weight of testis was observed maximum during July (1.5 International Journal of Trend in
Scientific Research and Development
cm: 2.1 gm), closely followed by August (1.3cm: 1.2 gm). The same
Journal. This is an
ratio was observed the minimum during the month of Nov- Jan Open Access article
(0.2cm: 0.2mg). The same result was also observed in C.gachua by distributed under the
Khanna and Sanwal, 1971. December is the post spawning period terms of the Creative Commons
(spent phase) of the species. Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
KEYWORDS: Morphometrics, gonads, gonadal dimensions,
spawning

INTRODUCTION
Reproduction is a vital process provided to all living weight, length and sizes of the gonads or any organ
individual by the nature itself to maintain the race. (Roy, P. K and Munshi, J. S. D., 1996). This study is
The reason behind the selection of C.gachua as the done basically to know the different phases of its
species of this research work, is being its important reproductive life which is differentiated in Immature
food fish, its easy availability in Indian peninsular phase (Resting phase), Matured phase (Pre-Spawning
region and being it’s one of the most suitable channa phase), Spawning phase and Spent phase. We know
species for aquarium due to its beautiful coloration well that C.gachua is a seasonal breeder, the
and small size (Talwar and Jhingran, 1992). Even morphometrics of the fish and its gonads are very
though it is widely distributed in Asia, it has declined much dependent on the seasonal changes. Both male
drastically (vulnerable) in India (CAMP,1998) and and female undergo remarkable cyclic morphological
endangered in some Asian countries like Singapore and histological changes before attaining full maturity
(Lim and Ng,1990). Although, it is economically and becoming ripe, called maturation of gonads. The
important, information on the reproduction expulsion of the gametes from the body to the
physiology and histomorphology of gonads of surrounding water is called spawning. It results in
C.gachua in captive condition remain limited. fertilization. Fish spawns during a specified period
Reproductive studies of teleost require knowledge of which depends upon various factors. Such studies on
the stages of the gonadal development on the seasonal different fishes have been studied before by various
basis. The term morphometrics means the scientists. Spawning takes place in between March
measurement of dimensional relationship of the body and June in Mystus seenghala (Sathyaneshan,1962),

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from April to September in Clarius batrachus maximum weight, width and length were recorded in
(Lehri,1968), from July to September in Channa July i. e. 62.6 cm, 3.9 g, 26.6 cm respectively.
punctatus (Belsare,1962). This topic has been Minimum length (28.5 cm) weight (14.5 gm) and
selected to go through the morphometrics of the width (2.1 cm) were recorded in December month.
gonads of Channa gachua in an elaborate way. Detailed results were depicted in Table I. The avg
Material and Methods: The live specimen of C. weight and length of the ovary of C.gachua was
gachua were collected from river Ganga, Bhairwa recorded maximum in July as 9.5 gm and 3.8 cm
pond of T M B U campus as well as from the respectively. The same were found the least in the
different pools and ditches of the neighboring areas of month of December as 2.0 gm and 1.0 cm
Bhagalpur, Bihar. They were brought to the respectively. These results have been shown in Table
laboratory weighed, measured and anesthetized and II. The present study documents the changes in the
then dissected to take out their gonads. The gonads gonadal developments (ovary) of C.gachua. Growth
were studied in each case for their morphometry, of fish in weight reflects the reproductive cycle, as the
which were noted down and then studied. The gonads mature they increase in weight which adds to
maturing stages of the male and female were the total weight of fish. Thus the results supports that
classified according to Biswas (1993) and computed the rainy seasons (June-July-August) plays an
monthly to ascertain the breeding season. The overall important role in the reproductive period of
frequencies of the stages were also estimated. C.gachua.
Spawning season was observed between June to Similar results were recorded in C.punctata, Al
August. Mahmud et al. (2016). stated that C.punctata attains
total length of 18.5 cm -18.2 cm. Reddy (1979)
Results and Discussion:
reported its first maturity at a length of 12.0 cm in
OVARY
A twelve month long study was conducted with Guntur river. Prasad et al. (2011) revealed that
regular collection of C.gachua (5 female specimen C.punctata attains first maturity at a length of 12.5
per month). During January to December, the cm in river Varuna in India. These results were
evaluation of length – weight and width of the ovary contradicted by the results found by Choudhary
of the species were recorded as 57.4 cm, 24.5 gm and (2004), who recorded 50% maturity of Channa barca
3.6 cm respectively in the month of July. Whereas at 20-30 cm for female and 25-30 cm in male.

Fig.: - Seasonal Changes in Ovary of C.gachua

TESTIS
In the present study (a total of 5 male specimens per month) of C.gachua were used for the study of fish
morphology (weight, length, and width) and weight and length of testis at different months (Jan to Dec).
The body weight of male C.gachua was recorded minimum in March (26.2 gm) and maximum in July (60 gm).
From January to March, fish weight vary from 26.2 gm to 46.2 gm whereas during April to June it increases
from 35.6 gm to 50.6 gm. Maximum weight was recorded in July i.e. 60 gm and weight decreased from August
to December. Fish length and width also recorded maximum in July. Detailed results are depicted in Table III.
The average wt, length and width of fish was recorded maximum in the month of July as 56.6 gm, 23.7 cm and
3.2 cm respectively. Whereas the minimum of the same was recorded during the month of December as 32 gm,
14.5 cm and 2.2 cm respectively. At the same time the testis morphometrics i. e. weight and length were
recorded maximum in July 2.1 gm and 1.5 cm respectively. The same was recorded minimum in the month of
Nov-Dec as 2.2 gm and 0.3 cm respectively shown in Table IV.

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Fig.: -Seasonal Changes in Testis of C.gachua.

Similar results were found by Hossain et al. (2015). He observed that the highest GSI values in the month of July
because that time the spawning period of C.punctata also. The GSI value was recorded high in C.orientalis
during June to Aug-Sep( Zin et al., 2011). C.punctata spawning period falls between June to September (Htay
Htay Aung, Mie Mie Sein, 2019). It is dissimilar result from my findings. Some environmental factors and
pollution also change the physiology of the fish.
Cyclic changes in the gonads have been examined in a few species viz. Channa maurulius (Hamilton,1822), by
Parameswaran and Murugesan,1976), C. striata by Haniffa et al. 2000, C.lazera by Richter and van den Hurk,
1982, in C.punctata by Srivastava and Srivastava, 1998), in C.macrocephalus by Mollah (1982).
Table I: Showing morphometrics of fish body and Ovary of female C.gachua (January to December)
No. of Fish wt Fish length Fish width Ovary Ovary
Month
specimen (gm) (cm) (cm) wt(gm) length (cm)
1 35.5 16.2 2.5 2.0 1.8
2 34.7 15.8 2.2 1.9 1.2
January 3 35.1 16.0 2.4 1.9 1.4
4 35.3 16.1 2.4 2.0 1.6
5 34.9 15.9 2.3 2.2 1.5
1 35.9 16.5 2.6 3.2 1.9
2 35.6 16.3 2.4 3.1 1.8
February 3 35.5 16.2 2.3 3.1 1.6
4 36.2 16.5 2.5 3.2 2.2
5 35.2 16.2 2.4 3.1 1.5
1 36.4 16.5 2.5 4.1 2.0
2 37.0 16.6 2.5 4.1 2.2
March 3 37.3 16.9 2.6 4.2 2.5
4 35.4 15.7 2.3 4.1 1.6
5 36.2 16.4 2.4 4.0 1.7
1 36.5 16.3 2.4 4.8 2.0
2 37.2 16.5 2.3 4.9 2.5
April 3 36.7 16.3 2.5 5.4 2.1
4 37.6 16.7 2.6 4.9 2.6
5 36.9 16.4 2.4 4.9 2.3
1 39.0 17.0 2.6 7.0 2.2
2 38.4 16.8 2.7 7.1 2.6
May 3 37.9 16.5 2.5 7.4 2.4
4 38.6 17.2 2.8 7.5 2.8
5 41.2 17.8 2.9 8.0 3.0

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1 40.5 18.0 3.2 9.2 3.1
2 46.5 17.6 2.9 9.1 2.9
June 3 35.8 17.3 3.3 9.8 3.3
4 44.6 19.1 3.2 9.5 3.2
5 55.3 23.5 3.5 10.2 3.5
1 57.4 25.3 3.6 3.6 3.8
2 56.8 24.5 3.8 3.8 3.7
July 3 49.9 20.5 3.2 3.2 3.5
4 60.5 25.6 3.8 3.8 3.9
5 62.6 26.6 3.9 3.8 4.1
1 44.5 20.3 3.4 3.4 2.8
2 43.8 20.0 3.3 3.3 2.6
August 3 44.2 20.2 3.4 3.4 3.1
4 44.1 20.8 3.5 3.5 3.0
5 42.8 19.8 3.2 3.2 2.5
1 42.8 19.7 3.0 3.0 2.6
2 41.3 19.3 3.0 3.0 2.5
September 3 42.1 20.0 3.1 3.1 2.4
4 40.2 18.9 2.9 2.9 2.2
5 41.5 19.0 2.7 2.7 2.3
1 40.4 18.3 2.6 2.6 2.4
2 39.6 18.0 2.4 2.4 2.3
October 3 38.8 17.5 2.3 2.3 2.2
4 38.2 17.1 2.3 2.3 2.2
5 37.2 16.9 2.2 2.2 1.9
1 34.8 15.5 2.9 2.1 1.7
2 33.5 15.0 2.6 2.0 1.6
November 3 32.6 14.9 2.2 2.0 1.6
4 31.2 14.4 2.5 1.9 1.5
5 33.0 14.7 2.3 2.0 1.1
1 33.2 14.5 2.4 2.1 0.9
2 34.6 14.8 1.9 2.2 1.0
December 3 31.4 15.4 2.2 2.3 1.2
4 29.6 15.2 2.0 2.2 0.8
5 28.5 14.9 2.5 2.1 1.1
TABLE II: Monthly Avg changes in Ovarian morphometrics
Fish Avg Fish Avg Fish Avg Ovary Avg Ovary Avg
Month
wt (gm) length(cm) width(cm) wt (gm) length(cm)
January 35.1 16.0 2.3 3.0 1.5
February 35.6 16.3 2.4 3.4 1.8
March 36.4 16.4 2.4 4.1 2.0
April 36.9 16.4 2.5 5.0 2.3
May 39.0 17.1 2.7 7.0 2.6
June 46.5 19.1 3.2 7.2 3.2
July 57.4 24.5 3.6 9.5 3.8
August 44.2 20.2 3.3 7.4 2.8
September 41.5 19.3 2.9 4.9 2.4
October 38.8 17.5 2.3 4.5 2.2
November 33.0 14.9 2.0 3.1 1.5
December 31.4 14.9 2.1 2.0 1.0

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Table III: Showing morphometrics of fish body and Testis of male C.gachua (January to December)
No. of Fish wt Fish length Fish width Testis wt Testis
Month
Sample (gm) (cm) (cm) (gm) length (cm)
1 35.4 16.0 2.6 0.2 0.4
2 34.6 15.4 2.1 0.2 0.3
January 3 35.0 15.6 2.4 0.3 0.4
4 35.2 15.2 2.6 0.2 0.5
5 34.8 14.8 2.3 0.1 0.4
1 35.8 15.7 2.6 0.4 0.4
2 35.6 15.2 2.4 0.4 0.4
February 3 35.4 15.5 2.3 0.3 0.5
4 36.0 16.0 2.6 0.4 0.4
5 35.2 15.6 2.1 0.4 0.5
1 36.4 16.2 2.6 0.4 0.4
2 46.2 24.0 3.0 0.5 0.6
March 3 36.2 16.0 2.5 0.5 0.6
4 26.2 17.0 2.0 0.4 0.4
5 36.0 16.1 2.4 0.4 0.5
1 37.4 16.4 2.8 0.7 0.6
2 36.6 16.0 2.3 0.6 0.5
April 3 35.8 15.8 2.1 0.6 0.4
4 37.0 16.2 2.5 0.7 0.6
5 38.2 16.6 2.8 0.7 0.6
1 40.2 16.8 2.8 1.0 0.9
2 38.0 16.4 2.6 1.0 0.8
May 3 35.6 16.0 2.4 0.9 0.7
4 36.0 15.8 2.4 0.9 0.8
5 40.2 17.0 2.8 1.2 1.0
1 43.2 20.0 2.6 2.0 1.2
2 40.6 18.0 2.8 1.9 0.9
June 3 38.4 15.6 2.5 1.9 0.8
4 50.6 22.4 3.2 2.5 1.4
5 44.2 19.0 2.7 2.1 1.1

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1 57.0 24.0 3.1 2.3 1.6
2 56.2 23.7 3.2 2.2 1.5
July 3 56.6 24.0 3.3 2.3 1.5
4 60.0 24.3 3.4 2.5 1.6
5 53.2 22.8 3.0 2.3 1.4
1 44.0 19.2 3.0 1.2 1.4
2 41.6 18.8 2.8 1.0 1.3
August 3 40.4 18.7 2.8 0.9 1.2
4 42.4 19.0 2.9 1.1 1.4
5 43.6 19.3 3.1 1.1 1.3
1 41.3 16.9 2.7 0.8 0.8
2 36.0 16,5 2.6 0.6 0.7
September 3 38.4 16.2 2.8 0.5 0.6
4 38.5 16.7 2.9 0.5 0.7
5 38.3 17.2 3.0 0.4 0.6
1 36.2 15.8 2.6 0.2 0.4
2 35.4 15.5 2.6 0.2 0.3
October 3 35.6 15.2 2.5 0.4 0.3
4 32.0 14.5 2.5 0.2 0.3
5 38.8 16.5 2.8 0.3 0.3
1 36.6 15.8 2.9 0.4 0.4
2 35.4 15.7 2.6 0.3 0.3
November 3 34.2 14.8 2.2 0.3 0.3
4 33.4 14.1 2.5 0.2 0.3
5 32.0 13.8 2.3 0.4 0.4
1 33.0 14.6 2.4 0.3 0.4
2 31.8 14.3 1.9 0.2 0.3
December 3 32.4 14.5 2.2 0.3 0.4
4 32.8 14.4 2.0 0.2 0.3
5 34.0 14.8 2.5 0.3 0.3
TABLE IV: Monthly Avg changes in Testis morphometrics.
Fish avg Fish avg Fish avg Testis avg Testis avg
Month
wt (gm) length (cm) width (cm) wt (gm) length (cm)
January 35.0 15.4 2.4 0.2 0.4
February 35.6 15.6 1.4 0.3 0.4
March 36.2 16.0 2.5 0.4 0.5
April 37.0 16.2 2.5 0.7 0.5
May 38.0 16.4 2.6 1.0 0.8
June 43.2 19.0 2.7 2.0 1.1
July 56.6 23.7 3.2 2.1 1.5
August 42.4 19.0 2.9 1.2 1.3
September 38.5 16.7 2.8 0.5 0.6
October 35.6 15.5 2.6 0.3 0.3
November 34.2 14.8 2.5 0.2 0.3
December 32.0 14.5 2.2 0.2 0.3

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