UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

The reproductive biology of fishes is strongly influenced by seasonal environmental changes; therefore, the study of gonadal development is important for understanding breeding patterns and supporting sustainable fisheries management. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the seasonal gonadal development of Puntius sophore and Rasbora daniconius collected from Upper Lake, Bhopal. Fish samples were collected in different seasons, and their gonads were examined to assess developmental stages and reproductive characteristics. P. sophore and R. daniconius are important small native fish species of Bangladesh belonging to the family Cyprinidae and the order Cypriniformes. The main objective of the present study was to examine monthly changes in gonadal maturity stages to delineate the spawning season and describe the temporal dynamics of the reproductive cycle. Gonadal maturity was evaluated according to the maturity classifications described by Nikolsky (1963) and Shafi and Quddus (1982). Five stages were identified in females (immature, maturing, mature, spawning, and spent), whereas six stages were identified in males (immature, resting, developing, maturing, mature, and spent). The sex ratio of P. sophore was significantly female-biased (1.93:1, p < 0.001), with the greatest deviation recorded during August and September. The spawning season of P. sophore was identified as June-August, with peak spawning during June-July and a GSI peak of 8.46% in May, whereas R. daniconius spawned from April to July, with peak activity in July (GSI: 2.21%). The study provides baseline information on the reproductive cycles of these native freshwater fishes and improves understanding of their breeding biology. These findings may support the identification of critical spawning periods and contribute to conservation measures and sustainable fisheries management.