Length-weight relationship of Mystus tengara (Ham.-Buch., 1822), a freshwater catfish of Indian subcontinent

Length-weight relationship is the most commonly used analysis which has been used for several purposes in fisheries field among which estimation of weight from length is the most popular one. The present study has been performed to analyze the length-weight relationship of Mystus tengara, a freshwater catfish of Indian subcontinent. Total Length and Body Weight of the studied specimens have been observed to vary from 7.2-11.3 cm (male), 7.3-11.7 cm (female) and 3.43-13.63 g (male), 2.83-14.88 g (female). The calculated regression coefficient (b) values are 2.941, 3.119 and 3.071 for male, female and combined sex, respectively; thus depicting negative allometric growth for male; while positive allometric growth for female and combined sex of this fish species. The correlation coefficient values (0.94, 0.95 and 0.95 for male, female and combined sex, respectively) are suggesting a significant relationship between length and weight of the studied fish. The present study provides the first baseline information on the length weight relationship of M. tengara which will be beneficial for future management of this fish species.