Spawning Season, Fecundity, and Size at First Maturity of a Freshwater Mullet, Minimugil cascasia (Hamilton 1822), from subtropical River Ganga, India

Spawning season, length at first maturity, and fecundity of a freshwater mullet Minimugil cascasia were investigated in the Ganga River, India. A sum of 277 fish individuals ranging from 4.5 to 9.0 cm and 0.93 to 8.01 g were collected. The analysis of variations for Gonado-somatic index in combination with the percentage of the ovarian development stages indicated that M. cascasia breeds round the year except in December and January with peak spawning occurring during the early phase of February. The predictable total length at first maturity in females and males was 6.62 cm and 6.69 cm. The mean fecundity was 5165 ± 1468 ova. The findings of this study would be helpful in developing the captive breeding protocol, and conservation of depleted stocks in natural habitats.