LENGTH- WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP AND CONDITION FACTOR OF Devario aequipinnatus FROM BASISTHA RIVER, ASSAM

Devario aequipinnatus is one of the most important food fish as well as a potentially important ornamental fish found in the high torrential water of river Basistha, Assam. As a measure of conservation certain aspects of the length- weight relationship and condition factor have been undertaken. On plotting the entire length- weight into a single data the relationship was found to be W = 0.019L2.783. Three different data for fry, fingerling and adult the relationship was found to be W=0.003L4.066, W=0.252L1.185, W=0.132L1.801 respectively. ‘b’ value was found to be maximum in Fry (4.06) and minimum in Fingerlings (1.18). ‘K’ value showed higher range in case of fingerlings followed by fries and adults. The findings of present investigation on the length-weight relationship of Devario aequipinnatus indicated significant variation in ‘b’ value. The value of the exponent ‘b’ was significantly higher in the Fries compared to Fingerlings and Adults. The high values of condition factor (K) in different length groups of Devario aequipinnatus indicated well-being and adaptability of the fish in their habitat in Basistha River, Assam.