Size at sexual maturity and fecundity of the mola carplet Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton 1822) (Cyprinidae) in the Ganges River, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

Amblypharyngodon mola Hamilton 1822 is widely distributed in the freshwaters of Southeast Asia and is commercially important. We studied the size at sexual maturity (TL₅₀) of A. mola in addition to its fecundity indices using samples collected from the Ganges River, Bangladesh. A total of 1200 individuals of A. mola were examined comprising 373 males and 827 females. Based on the relationship between gonadosomatic index (GSI) and total length (TL), males with a GSI ≥ 2.31% and females with a GSI ≥ 4.66% could roughly be defined as mature. The TL₅₀, the TL at which 50% of individuals become mature, was estimated by logistic equation as 5.85 cm in males and 5.97 cm in females. The total fecundity (F_T) ranged from 1652 to 15,985 (6255 ± 3640). Both the studied variables (TL and body weight, BW) were highly correlated with F_T and can be used to estimate the total potential fecundity, although BW performed better. Our results provide an insight into the TL₅₀ and reproductive potential of A. mola, which would be helpful to set the mesh-size restriction and to estimate potential recruitment and population growth rate for their sustainable management.

KEYWORDS:

• Cyprinidae
• fecundity
• Ganges River
• size at sexual maturity
• reproduction

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our gratitude to (i) the local fishers (Rajshahi, Bangladesh) for their assistance during sample collection, (ii) the Chairman of Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh for allowing us to use of the laboratory facilities, and (iii) the lab-members of Fisheries Biology Laboratory, University of Rajshahi for their assistance during data collection.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.