Impact of eco-hydrological factors on growth of the Asian stinging catfish Heteropneustus fosslis (Bloch, 1794) in a Wetland Ecosystem

This study demonstrates the impacts of eco-hydrological factors (Temperature, rainfall, dissolved oxygen, pH, total dissolved solids, and alkalinity) on the growth of Asian stinging catfish Heteropneustus fossilis (Bloch, 1794) in the Ganjer Beel wetland ecosystem, northwestern Bangladesh. This study was conducted in the Gajner Beel wetland ecosystem which is located at Sujanagar under Pabna District, NW Bangladesh. Eight hundred forty-five (845) fish individuals were collected from January to December 2019. Total length (TL) and body weight (BW) were measured using the measuring board and electronic balance with 0.01cm and 0.01g, precision. The length-weight relationship was calculated by this equation: W = a × Lb. TL was ranged from 6.30–24.10 cm and BW was 1.20–83.94 g. Overall growth pattern (GP) was a positive allometric of H. fossilis in this wetland. Among the eco- hydrological factors temperature, DO and pH showed significant correlation with the growth pattern of H. fossilis. Finally, these findings will be useful for further studies and to suggest a sound policy for the sustainable management of H. fossilis in wetland ecosystems.