Length-weight relationships for four fish species from lower stretch of River Ganga, India

Length-weight relationships (LWRs) for four fish species from the River Ganga (India) is presented. Sampling was conducted in the lower stretch of the river (Buxar: 25 degrees 3343.90N and 83 degrees 563.10E to Freserganj: 21 degrees 3540.58N and 88 degrees 1528.92E) on tri-monthly basis from September 2016 to December 2017. Specimens were caught in gill nets (mesh, 18-68mm), cast nets (mesh, 12-14mm), seine nets (mesh, 12-14mm) and various traditional traps those were put over night and lifted in early morning. Total length and wet body weight of fish were measured to the nearest 0.1cm and 0.01g by a digital caliper and electronic balance respectively. From LWRs, the estimated b values were found to be 2.88 (Pisodonophisboro) to 3.17 (Gagata sexualis) whereas a value ranged from 0.001 (Pisodonophis boro) to 0.009 (Botia lohachata). As per FishBase, the species Gagata sexualis and Botia lohachata had new TLmax reported for LWR estimation.