LAUSR

This study aimed to investigate the growth and spawning characteristics of wild Channa lucius (Cuvier, 1831) populations in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The study was carried out from March 2011 to February 2012. The length-weight relationship (LWR) of C. lucius was exhibited according to the equation: W=0.0044L3.2494 ; R2 =0.9157 (female fish) and W=0.0047L3.2178 , R2 =0.9434 (male fish). Length and weight of the body for female fish ranged from 16.3-36.0 cm and 49.0-550.0 g, and for male fish, from 14.6-38.2 cm and 46.0-639.0 g, respectively. Female and male fish had almost similar lengths at first maturity (21.3958 cm for females and 21.3952 cm for males). Condition factor (CF) of female fish ranged from 0.842- 0.864 and 0.848-0.874 for male fish. The gonadal somatic index (GSI) of female fish was highest in June (1.68%) and lowest in November (0.69%); that of male fish was highest in June (0.53%) and lowest in September (0.15%). The sexual maturity rate (SMR) of female fish peaked in May, with an SMR of 33.3% (stage III) and 58.3% (stage IV). In conclusion, C. lucius has a positive allometric range (b>3), reaching sexual maturity when its length reaches 21.39 cm for both sexes, and the spawning season begins in December but peaks in May and June. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.