On the Biology of the One-Stripe Spiny Eel, Macrognathus aral (Bloch and Schneider) from the Ponds in lower Krishna Irrigation System

Abstract

Spiny eels (Mastacembelidae) forin an important component of the Inland fishery in the lower Krishna imgation system and also command good price. Macrognarl~rcsa ral spawns during August-September months coinciding with the southwest monsoon in this region. Studies on the ova diameters of the intraovarian ova show that the individuals release all the ova in a single spawning act. 50% of the males attained maturity at total length of 16 cm, while 50% of the females attaining maturity at 17.5 cm TL Fecundity ranged between 1065 and 4961. Relationship between length and weight can be expressed by the formula Log W= -3.91+2.39 Log L for juveniles, and Log W= -6.31+ 3.2 Log L and Log W= -7.53 + 3.67 Log L for adult males and females, respectively. The fish primarily feeds on detritus of animal origin.