Life History Traits of Gangetic Ailia Ailia coila (Hamilton 1822) in the Tetulia River, Southern Bangladesh

The near-threatened Ailia coila, commonly referred to as Gangetic ailia, is a catfish species in the Ailiidae family that is indigenous to Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and India. This study describes the comprehensive explanation of life-history traits of Ailia coila, including length-frequency distribution (LFD), growth pattern (length-weight relationships, LWRs and length-length relationship, LLR), form factor (a_3.0), condition factors (allometric, K_A; Fulton’s, K_F; relative, K_R and relative weight, W_R), size at first sexual maturity (L_m), optimum catchable length (L_opt) and natural mortality (M_w) from the Tetulia River in southern Bangladesh. Additionally, L_α, a_3.0, L_m, M_w and L_opt from various water bodies worldwide using the existing literature were calculated in this study. A total of 316 samples were randomly collected occasionally using traditional gear for a year from July 2021 to June 2022. With an accuracy of 0.01 cm and 0.01 g, each fish’s total length (TL), standard length (SL), and body weight (BW) were measured. The group from 10.00 to 10.99 cm TL was numerically leading and the b values of LWRs indicate positive allometric growth. The a_3.0 was 0.005 and K_F was the best for assessing the well-being of A. coila. Additionally, W_R indicates that the habitat was imbalanced with higher predators. The calculated L_m, L_opt and M_w were 9.19 (~ 9.2 cm TL), 10.7 cm TL and 1.37 year⁻¹ for A. coila in the Tetulia River, respectively. These insights are vital for future research and recommending suitable management strategies for A. coila in the Tetulia River and neighboring basins.