Abstract

SEASONAL EFFECT ON REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF CATLA CATLA FROM GODAVARI RIVER PARBHANI

S. M. Paikrao*

ABSTRACT

The breeding season in fishes belonging to the first category is short and lasts for about two to four months. In each individual the cycle of spawning occurs only once a year and the state of maturity at any given time IS fairly uniform throughout the population. Individuals- belonging to the second category have a succession of spawnings. Their breeding seasons are relatively longer and last for about four to five months. At no time of the year there is an exclusive preponderance of one maturity stage in these fishes. Fishes belonging to the third category are characterized by a nonseasonal breeding. Gravid individuals occur over a greater part of the year and it seems that if conditions for spawning are favourable, the cycle can occur at any timeof the year. Spawning in each individual is not synchronous with those of other individuals of the population.

Keywords: Season, Mansoon Catla catla, Ova, Fecundity.