Reproductive aspects of Anabas testudineus collected from the Gajner Beel wetland in Bangladesh: implications for its conservation under changing eco-climatic conditions and suggestions for best aquaculture practice

The freshwater climbing perch, Anabas testudineus , is an economically and nutritionally valuable food fish. This study explores the various reproductive contents (size at sexual maturity, reproductive period and fecundity) of A. testudineus in the Gajner Beel concerning the eco-climatic variabilities and suggests sustainable management policies. A total of 709 individuals were randomly collected from January to December 2019 among 371 females that were sorted out for this study. Total length (TL) ranged from 7.50 to 16.40 cm. Based on the maximum length ( L max ), TL vs . gonadosomatic index (GSI), TL-standard length (SL) regression and logistic model, the size at sexual maturity ( L m ) was 10.00 cm, 10.40 cm, 11.00 cm and 11.50 cm, respectively. The spawning season was May to August and peaked in June–July. The Fulton’s condition ( K F ) was suggested as the best condition factor ( p