Observations on The Maturation and Spawning of Channa Punctata(Bloch, 1793) in Ukkadam Lake, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

By : M. Senguttuvan , A. A. Sivakumar

Page No: 171-183

Abstract
In the present study, C. punctata was found to breed throughout the year with peaks in April and September. Individuals of C. punctata seem to spawn once in a breeding season. The highest values of gonado-somatic index and relative condition factor were obtained during the peak spawning periods. Females mature earlier than males. The ratio between size at first maturity and maximum length (Lm/La) value for males (0.3904) and for females (0.3695) suggests low mortality rates. The values of Co-efficient of correlation (‘r’) between total length of fish and fecundity (0.9832), weight of fish and fecundity (0.9963) and ovary weight and fecundity (0.9852) were found to be significant. Sex[1]ratio deviated from the expected 1:1 ratio during all the months except in July.

Authors :
M. Senguttuvan
Department of Zoology, PSG College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore-641 014, India.

A.A. Sivakumar
Department of Environmental Science, Kovai Kalaimagal College of Arts & Science, Narasipuram P.O., Coimbatore-641 109, India.