Evaluating the Length-Weight Relationships and Growth Patterns of Seven Catfish Species in the Middle Stretch of the River Ganga, India: Insights for Sustainable Fisheries Management and Conservation Perspectives

Abstract

In this study, length-weight relationships of seven catfish species collected from the middle stretch of the Ganga River in India were determined. The specimens were gathered from the Sadiyapur and Daraganj fish landing centers in this region of the Ganga River between November 2022 and October 2023. Digital callipers and digital balances were utilised to measure the total length (TL) and body weight (BW) of all fish specimens. The growth coefficient b ranged from 1.98 for Sperata aor to 3.31 for Sperata seenghala. Also, Rita rita, Sperata aor, Eutropiichthys vacha, Wallago attu and Bagarius bagarius exhibited negative allometric growth (b < 3) while Sperata seengala and Clupisoma garua showed positive allometric growth (b > 3). The coefficient of determination (R²) values ranged from 0.66 to 0.93 across the seven catfish species. Additionally, the relative condition factor (K_n) value is greater than 1 for all the catfish species, indicating that all the catfish species are in good health.