Ecology, Biology and Fishery of Clupisoma Atherinoides (Bloch) (Cypriniformes:Schilbeidae)Ecology, Biology and Fishery of Clupisoma Atherinoides (Bloch) (Cypriniformes:Schilbeidae)

Abstract

The juvenile and adult of C. atherinoides is mainly a carnivorous fish. Its food consists mainly of crustaceans, insects, rotifers, protozoans, algae, debris and detritus. The juvenile and adult C. atherinoides are surface feeders. Monthly variations in the percentage composition of the food items in the different stages of the fish were recorded. The fish changed its food and feeding habit seasonally. The feeding intensity was very poor in mature fishes during the spawning period. The immature fishes fed actively throughout the year. The ratio of the total length and alimentary canal length of the juvenile and adult stages of the fish is I :0.56 and 1: O. 61 and it has a shortened alimentary tract. The relationships between the total length and alimentary canal length of the juvenile and adult showed strong linear relationship. The ovaries of C. atherinoides were classified into ten stages. Immature stage, maturing-I ( early developing), maturing-II (late developing), mature, ripe, pre-spawning, spawning, post spawning, spent and resting stage.----