Gonads annual development of Kelee shad, Hilsa kelee (Cuvier, 1829) from the coastal waters of Pakistan and its spawning ecology

Annual reproductive cycle and spawning ecology of Kelee shad, Hilsa kelee were studied. The sex ratios did not exhibit as 1: 1; whereas 69.19% were females. On the basis of histological examination, the maturity of female gonads of H. kelee was categorized in eight developmental stages: immature, developing, fully developed, hydrated, running ripe, partially spent, spent and post spawning. Whereas males of this species were categorized in five developmental stages: immature, developing, ripe, partially spent and spent. This fish is repeatedly spawner and spawns twice per year: in April to June and August to October. The values of exponent b in the length weight regressions (W = al b ) slightly varied in males b = 3.133, R 2 = 0.96 and P < 0.01 and females b = 3.143, R 2 = 0.95 and P < 0.001. The linear regressions of length-weight relationships were significant for both males and females.