Comparative Studies on Gonad Development, Fecundity and Oocyte Maturation of Spotted Snakehead, Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793) in Different Water Bodies

The present study was carried out to compare gonad development, oocyte maturation and fecundity of the spotted snakehead (Channa punctatus) fish during January to November 2015 in different water bodies (such as pond, Joghati baor and Bhairab river) in Jashore, Bangladesh. Mean GSI (gonadosomatic index) values of the female C. punctatus during January, March, May, July, September and November were significantly highest in pond, followed by those in Joghati baor and the lowest in Bhairab river. Absolute fecundity during the month of July in pond, baor and river was 30,006±2,027, 23,629±2,356 and 16,659±2,486, respectively, and the relative fecundity was 5064±183, 4865±106 and 4641±138 eggs, respectively. Mean ova diameter in pond, baor and river in March was 0.25±0.04 mm, 0.16±0.02 mm and 0.21±0.03 mm; in May was 0.36±0.03 mm, 0.29±0.03 mm and 0.23±0.04 mm; in July was 1.06±0.06 mm, 0.95±0.05 mm and 0.87±0.03 mm; and in September was 0.84±0.04 mm, 0.82±0.03 mm and 0.72±0.05 mm, respectively. Mean GSI values of the male C. punctatus during January, March, May, July, September and November were significantly higher in pond than those in baor and river, respectively. The mean highest GSI for female was found to be 6.06±0.11 in pond during the month of July, while the lowest GSI of 0.30±0.08 was in Bhairab river during November. The highest GSI value for male was obtained to be 0.70±0.16 in pond during the month of July, while the lowest GSI of 0.12±0.03 was found in Bhairab river during January. However, significant differences (P<0.05) were found in GSI values, absolute fecundity, relative fecundity and ova diameter of C. punctatus during different months in pond, Joghati baor and Bhairab river. The findings from the present research would immensely be useful for captive breeding and seed production techniques of C. punctatus for aquaculture production, sustainable management and species conservation.