Reproductive Traits of an Endangered Loach, Triplophysa kashmirensis (Hora, 1922) in Kashmir Himalaya, India

In this study, a total of 180 specimens of Triplophysa kashmirensis were studied. The total length of specimens varied from 54.85 mm to 130.17 mm for the weights 2.21 g and 21.03 g respectively. Maximum GSI (gonadosomatic index) value was demonstrated in the month of November with the peak value of 1.23 in males and 20.67 in females. The absolute fecundity varied from 561 to 11,386 eggs and relative fecundity from 914 to 1441 eggs per gram body weight. The average absolute fecundity recorded was 3,851.61 ± 266.61 whereas average relative fecundity was 418.45 ± 19.25 per gram body weight. The chi-square (χ 2) test indicated that there is significant difference (p≤0.05) between the Absolute fecundity in different months. The resultant average sex ratio, male: female was 1:0.8, indicating a significant dominance of males (p < 0.05). The length at first maturity (L50) for females of Triplophysa kashmirensis was estimated at 86 mm.