LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIPS AND FEEDING HABIT OF PARAMBASSIS LALA (HAMILTON, 1822) FROM KOLE WETLANDS, A RAMSAR SITE: Lenth weight relationship of Parambassis lala
2023
SHARMA, LOVEDEEP
The present study aims to explore the growth pattern, condition, and feeding characteristics of the invasive transplanted species Parambassis lala within the Kole wetlands, a Ramsar site in Kerala, India. Understanding the well-being of this non-native species, its growth trends, and feeding behavior is crucial for comprehending its interactions and potential competition with native species in the ecosystem. The results indicated that the species demonstrates an allometric (negative) growth pattern (b = 2.47). Additionally, the condition factor value (K > 1) suggests a positive state of well-being for the fish within the wetland ecosystem. The results revealed that the Gastrosomatic Index of P. lala falls within a narrow range, ranging from 1.6% to 3.46%, and the relative gut length (RGL) was observed to be within the range of 0.19 to 0.49. Stomach content analysis showed a variety of zooplankton, such as copepods (20.91%) and cladocerans (20.2%), insects (17.77%), and semi-digested animal matter (41.2%), present in its gut. The results indicated a carnivorous feeding nature for this species. These findings provide valuable insights into the ecology of P. lala in the Kole wetlands and assist in a broader understanding of the impact of invasive species in this unique ecosystem. The present study results also provide information on its feeding traits, which could also help conserve the species, which is stated to be nearly threatened. The results add more information to understand its growth and feeding habits, which will be useful for its aquaculture production as it’s an ornamentally important species. The overall results of this work provide information that helps frame conservation strategies for the wetland ecosystem as well as fish species.
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