FAT AND MOISTURE CONTENTS OF THE MUSCLE AND OVARY DURING THE MATURATION CYCLE IN MYSTUS VITTATUS (BLOCH) (BAGRIDAE SILURIFORMES)
S. N. M. DIVAKARUNT *
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, NAGARJUNA UNIVERSITY, NAGARJUNANAGAR-522510, INDIA.
S. V. SHARMA *
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, NAGARJUNA UNIVERSITY, NAGARJUNANAGAR-522510, INDIA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Seasonal variation in the fatness dynamics and moisture content in the lateral muscle and ovary of Mystis pittatus, a common fresh water food fish inhabiting ponds near Guntur, was studied. The observations suggest a correlation between the spawning period, feeding activity and the changes in fat content of muscle and ovary. The moisture content showed inverse relation to the fat in both muscle and ovary.