Aspects of the reproductive biology of female snakehead (Channa striata Bloch) obtained from irrigated rice agroecosystem, Malaysia

Snakeheads (Channa striata), collected for one year from February 1992 from the rice fields and the contiguous irrigation and drainage canals of North Kerian, Perak, Malaysia, were studied. There were six developmental stages of oocytes. Oocyte size frequency distribution and frequency of occurrence for the different ovarian stages indicated that gonadal development occurs throughout the year. Multi-modal oocyte size frequency distribution in the population indicated the presence of developing as well as mature oocytes in the females also confirms spawning readiness throughout the year. Estima tes of mean absolute fecundity ranged from 4326 to 9017 oocytes whereas est imates of mean relative fecundity ranged from 10.5 to 36.3 oocytes per g bo dy weight. Both TL (cm) and weight (g) can be used for estimating fecundity .