Length-weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Gymnostomus fulungee (Sykes, 1839) from Krishna River, Maharashtra, India

Gymnostomus fulungee (Sykes, 1839) is a cyprinid freshwater fish reported from Deccan plateau and widely distributed in Western Ghats of India. Western Ghats is known for its higher fish species richness and endemism. Gymnostomus fulungee is inhabitant of Krishna River, Maharashtra with abundant population. Abundance, length-weight relationship (LWR) and reproductive behavior of this species lack study from this region. The present study aims to investigate length-weight relationship, growth patterns and condition factor of the Gymnostomus fulungee. Assessments of these parameters were done by using specimens of combined sexes. Fishes were collected from 3 different collection sites of Krishna River namely Ramling bet, Bahe (17.11813 °N, 74.26524°E), Khodshi (17.30968°N, 74.16739°E) and Karad (17.28961 °N, 74.18243 °E), Maharashtra, India. Study was conducted during the period of June 2021 to May 2022. Total 235 specimens were collected and total length (TL) observed from minimum 8.9 to maximum18.2 cm. Weight (W) ranges were varied between 6.353 to 60.185 g. LWR was estimated by linear regression equation [ln W = ln (a) + b ln (L)]. Overall estimated value of ‘a’= 0.009 and the value of ‘b’= 3.019 found in normal range. Significant variation was seen during winter and summer for value of ‘b’ with 3.310 and 3.098 respectively. The value of b=3 indicates isometric growth of species and above 3 indicates positive allometric growth. The condition factor (K) ranged between 0.7 and 1.5 which was analyzed seasonally. Relative condition factor ((Kn) is equal or close to 1. It was revealed that Gymnostomus fulungee was in a good physical state with aquatic environment providing proper conditions for fish growth.