Comparative study of length-weight relationships and biological indices of Himalayan snow trout, Schizothorax labiatus, inhabiting two lotic water bodies in the Kashmir Valley

The length-weight relationship (LWR) plays an important role in fishery management as it can be used to estimate the average weight of a specific length group. The results of the current study revealed that the mean values of regression coefficient b for both sexes of Schizothorax labiatus (McClelland) in the Jhelum River indicated positive allometric growth, while in the Sindh River, the b value for males indicated positive allometric growth and for females negative allometric growth. The value of coefficient of determination r² for both sexes of S. labiatus was equal to or greater than 0.90 in both water bodies, except for females in the Sindh River. Higher significant (P < 0.05) average values of Fulton’s condition factor (K) and the hepatosomatic index (HSI) for both sexes of S. labiatus were noted in the Jhelum River than in the Sindh River. In contrast, higher significant (P < 0.05) values of the gonadosomatic index (GSI) were recorded in the Sindh River. The data generated during the current study provide basic information for researchers and fish biologists for the conservation and sustainable management of this commercially important food fish species in the Kashmir Valley.