Health status of golden Mahseer, Tor putitora in Anji Hatchery of District Reasi of Jammu region

Mahseer being the endangered species requires a lot of attention in order to increase its population. In some places, mahseer is still having its habitat, feeding and breeding ground intact, therefore, the knowledge of current status of fish in that particular habitat with respect to its health and other biological parameters is required to save and propagate its number. In present study, the hematological parameters of the Mahseer fish from water bodies of district Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir were observed to know its health status. The blood profile of fish provides accurate indications of any changes occur in the animal under stress or healthy, positive or negative impact similar to those of warm-blooded animals. The knowledge of the hematological characteristics helps in monitoring the physiological changes in the fishes and understanding of fish stress responses is essential to avoid stress-related problems. The blood samples were collected monthly and analyzed for a period of six months. Average hemoglobin content, total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count and mean corpuscular values of fish indicated relation between the seasonal changes in environmental factors such as temperature and dissolved oxygen with various blood parameters. Mahseer being the endangered species requires a lot of attention in order to increase its population. In some places, mahseer is still having its habitat, feeding and breeding ground intact, therefore, the knowledge of current status of fish in that particular habitat with respect to its health and other biological parameters is required to save and propagate its number. Significant seasonal variations in the number of white and red blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration have been observed. In general, higher values of RBC dependent parameters; viz, TEC, Hb, PCV were recorded during spring, summer, monsoon and autumn, and lowest during winter. White blood cells on other hand, exhibited gradual decline during monsoon and autumn upto winter only to rise again in spring and summer. The proportions of different leucocytes though variable but lymphocytes have been observed to be the chief contributor in TLC fluctuation. Thrombocyte count was significantly higher during autumn and winter season. Relation between seasonal changes in environmental factors such as temperature and dissolved oxygen with various blood parameters have been discussed. Accordingly, it can be concluded that hematological parameters are indicating healthy population with good health status of fishes in water body.