Author(s): D Maji and AK Tudu

Abstract: Of the eight native Gourami species, Ctenops nobilis McClelland 1845 is one of the most significant and demanding. It is the sole species known to exist in its genus. Most of the fish are cold-water species, with current specimens collected from the Sikkim Himalayan riverine streams. Despite being widely dispersed, the species is naturally endangered. Due to population losses in the wild, it is classified as Near Threatened on the 2010 IUCN Red List. The total length (TL) of the specimens examined for morphometric research ranged from 27 mm to 101 mm. For the study, a total of 215 samples were used—132 males and 83 females. Overall, the population's male-to-female ratio was 0.63. The length-weight relationship of C. nobilis shows that the hypo-allometric growth of the population is significantly negative. The species' L-W relationship was fitted as follows: Log W = -1.9692 + 1.4858 Log L; R² = 0.8951 for combined sex; Log W = -2.0437 + 1.5264 Log L, R² = 0.9106 for males; and Log W = -1.9854 + 1.4932 Log L, R² = 0.8823 for females. The combined male and female relative condition factor (K_n) of 1.01, 0.95, and 0.99 indicates the species' growth maturity, adipose tissue deposition, and healthy adaptation. Besides all factors, C. nobilis is a very important, potentially active cold-water ichthyo-fauna, very close to Near Threatened status, making concerns about this species evident, especially due to its high stress levels from natural hazards, such as floods from high altitudes, high flows of riverine streams, and weather factors.

DOI: 10.22271/fish.2025.v13.i3a.3075

Pages: 42-48  |  118 Views  66 Downloads

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