Age, growth and reproductive strategy of the snakehead, Ophicephalus striatus Bloch, from Sri Lanka

A total of 281 snakehead‐lula, Ophicephalus striatus , collected between November 1982 and June 1983 from inundated rice fields and swamps in south‐western Sri Lanka were analysed. Age determination by length frequencies and scale annuli revealed six age groups. An asymptotic length of 520 mm was estimated by the von Bertalanffy growth model. The ova were assigned to four developmental stages and a maturity scale was developed for the females. Fast growing 2‐year‐old fish attain sexual maturity. The ovum size frequencies and occurrence of mature and spent fish indicate that this fish spawns during the south‐west monsoon season. Fecundity estimates ranged from 1688 to 7146 ova. Total length and weight are equally useful for predicting fecundity.