Study of morphometric and meristic characters, length-weight relationship and condition factor of Schizothorax esocinus from Kashmir valley

The present study was conducted to analyse various morphological characters along with length-weight relationship (LWR) and condition factor of Schizothorax esocinus from Manasbal Lake, Kashmir during its breeding season. Fourteen morphometric characters were analysed to conclude correlation between the characters from analysis of 'R' values, which ranged from 0.482-0.964 and 0.335-0.384 for males and 0.380-0.922 and 0.351-0.578 for females (for total length and head length respectively). There was no significant difference in the number of fin rays except for pectoral fin rays between males and females. The LWR for males was established as Log W = -1.255 + 2.511 Log Land for females as Log W = -0.914 + 2.299 Log L. Condition factor was1.02 and 1.07 for males and females.