Biological traits of striped dwarf catfish, Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794) (Bagridae) in the Old Brahmaputra River, Northeastern Bangladesh: Implications for sustainable fisheries management

Imran Bin Younos; Tariq-Al Kasif; Nushrat Jahan; Md. Muntasir Rashib; Hridoy Kumer Biswas; Ashak Mahmud; Md. Fakhrul Islam

doi:10.22034/ijab.v13i6.2604

Authors

Imran Bin Younos Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.
Tariq-Al Kasif Department of Fisheries, Jamalpur Science and Technology University, Jamalpur 2012, Bangladesh.
Nushrat Jahan Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.
Md. Muntasir Rashib Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.
Hridoy Kumer Biswas Department of Fisheries, Jamalpur Science and Technology University, Jamalpur 2012, Bangladesh.
Ashak Mahmud Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.
Md. Fakhrul Islam
fakhrul@jstu.ac.bd
Department of Fisheries, Jamalpur Science and Technology University, Jamalpur 2012, Bangladesh.

Vol. 13 No. 6 (2025): December

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December 25, 2025

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The present study investigates the population dynamics and biological traits of Mystus vittatus in the Old Brahmaputra River. A total of 515 specimens were collected between January and December 2024, excluding the breeding season (March to May), using gill nets. Standard biometric methods were applied to analyze length–frequency distributions, length–weight (LWR), and length–length (LLR) relationships. Three condition factors (allometric (KA), Fulton’s (KF), and relative (KR)), form factor (a?.?), and relative weight (WR) were also assessed. The growth pattern was negatively allometric (b-value = 2.56). KA = 0.0287±0.004, KF = 1.2286±0.263, and KR = 1.0241±0.142 indicated healthy physiological status and adequate food availability. A strong linear relationship was found between total length and standard length. The form factor (a?.? = 0.0068) reflected a streamlined body shape suited to flowing waters. WR ranged from 71.25 to 142.15, indicating favorable growth conditions with some seasonal variation. These biometric insights provide valuable baseline data for assessing population health and growth dynamics of M. vittatus. Given ongoing habitat pressures and reduced river flow, species-specific management and conservation measures are urgently needed to ensure the sustainability of fisheries in the Old Brahmaputra River.

Younos, I. B., Kasif, T.-A., Jahan, N., Rashib, M. M., Biswas, H. K., Mahmud, A., & Islam, M. F. (2025). Biological traits of striped dwarf catfish, Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794) (Bagridae) in the Old Brahmaputra River, Northeastern Bangladesh: Implications for sustainable fisheries management. International Journal of Aquatic Biology, 13(6), 26–35. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijab.v13i6.2604

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