Growth Performance and Relative Condition Factor of Indian Major Carps and Few Local Fish Fauna in Choral River, Indore City (M.P.), India

Abstract

Length–weight relationships and condition indices were examined for 17 fish species collected from the Choral River, Indore City, Madhya Pradesh, India, during February–April 2025. Fish sampling was conducted three times in each month, and a total of 1,530 individuals were considered across the three-month period. Total length and body weight were measured, and length–weight relationships were estimated using log-transformed data. Fulton’s condition factor (K) and relative condition factor (Kₙ) were also calculated. The regression exponent (b) varied among species and months, ranging from 1.0759 in Catla catla during February to 3.8230 in Glossogobius giuris during April, indicating both negative and positive allometric growth patterns. Fulton’s condition factor ranged from 0.897 in Rasbora daniconius during April to 3.899 in Ompak bimaculatus during March. Relative condition factor values ranged from 0.9793 in Labeo rohita during February to 1.1710 in Cirrhinus mrigala during February and generally remained close to unity. The percentage increase in average length was highest in Chela bacaila and lowest in Channa marulius, while the percentage increase in average weight was highest in Cirrhinus mrigala and lowest in Heteropneustes fossilis. Overall, the results provide baseline information on species-specific variation in growth and condition indices in the Choral River during the sampled period and may support future fisheries assessment and management.