Abstract:
The present investigation was conducted to assess the fecundity and gonadosomatic index of female Polynemus paradiseus (L.) of the Meghna river estuary during the spawning season. A total of 75 samples were collected from local fish markets Chairmanghat, Sonapur and Maijdee of Noakhali. Mean total length and mean body weight of the collected fish samples were 16.38 ± 0.29 cm and 25.01 ± 1.45g respectively. The mean total fecundity was found 11383.33 ± 343.35.Variation in fecundity, GSI, total length, body weight and gonad weight of the studied species was found across the spawning season (April- June). Gonadosomatic index was found higher in May-June than April. The relationships of fecundity with body length, body weight and gonad weight were found to be linear and correlation coefficient (r) values were 0.6861, 0.7823 and 0.8049 respectively. The linear relationship between body weight and fecundity was found more valid than the relationship between body length and fecundity. The present study revealed that the fecundity of P. paradiseus was comparatively low than other estuarine fish species. Basic information on the size at sexual maturity and fecundity of P. paradiseus will be helpful to evaluate reproductive potential of individual fish species in similar studies.
