Population Parameters of the Stinging Catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis in a Semi-Enclosed Wetland Ecosystem: An Insight from the Arial Beel, Bangladesh

Population parameters offer a comprehensive understanding of the population dynamics of fish species within their habitats. This study is the first of its kind to investigate multi-model biological parameters of Heteropneustes fossilis in a semi-enclosed freshwater wetland, specifically the Arial Beel in Bangladesh. The total length and body weight of the specimens ranged from 6.6 to 32.4cm and from 1.1 to 144g, respectively, with the recorded maximum total length representing a new record for H. fossilis in Bangladesh. The b value of the length–weight relationship was 2.93, indicating a negative allometric growth pattern, supported by a high coefficient of determination (r² = 0.98). Key growth parameters were estimated as follows: asymptotic length (L∞) = 33.93 cm, growth coefficient (K) = 0.34 year⁻¹, growth performance index (Ø′) = 2.59, and longevity (tₘₐₓ) = 8.88 years. The form factor (a₃.₀) was calculated at 0.005. The size at sexual maturity (Lₘ) and optimum catchable length (Lₒₚₜ) for the combined sexes of H. fossilis were 18.38cm and 22.44cm, respectively. The average relative condition factor (Kᵣ) was 1.01, suggesting that the population is in good health within the beel environment. This study provides detailed insights into the growth and biological status of H. fossilis in an interconnected riverine and floodplain wetland ecosystem. Further research incorporating more samples and additional species is recommended to develop a comprehensive ecological profile of Arial Beel, with the aim of establishing it as a model wetland ecosystem for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.