Biometric characteristics of giant river-catfish Aorichthys seenghala (sykes, 1839) from harike wetland - A ramsar site

The study was carried out to evaluate the morphometric characteristics and biology of Giant river-catfish Aorichthys seenghala from Harike wetland - a Ramsar site from September 2016 - February 2017. Among different morphometric characteristics of A. seenghala average weight of fish, total length, standard length, fork length was 1197 g, 59.93 g, 47.57 cm, 51.01 cm, anal fin rays, caudal fin rays ranged from 8–9, 19–21 whereas, dorsal fin rays, ventral fin rays, pectoral fin rays was 7, 5, 9, respectively. A. Seenghala established negative algometric growth with respect to length weight relationship, thus species became slender as it increased in length. Highest Gonado Somatic Index (%) in male and female was in September (0.996 and 3.127) and lowest in November whereas, Hepato Somatic Index (%) of male and female fish recorded highest in November (1.158 and 2.208) and lowest in September. Hepato Somatic Index varied seasonally and inversely correlated with Gastro Somatic Index. Highest Gastro Somatic Index (%) in male and female was in September (1.277 and 2.278) and lowest in January. Relative Length of Gut value recorded < 1 indicating fish is carnivore in feeding habit. The fish is predominantly a carnivore fish and preferably lives in the bottom (as significantly detritus material found in the stomach). The Harike wetland is still supporting a good numbers of matured giant river catfish A. seenghala despite of different natural and anthropogenic disturbances which is required to be conserved.