Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. ISSN 1110 – 6131 Vol. 25(4): 313 – 327 (2021) www.ejabf.journals.ekb.eg Reproductive Biology of the Silver Hatchet Chela cachius (Hamilton 1822) in a Perennial Water Body in Bangladesh. Md. Nowsher Ali1, Shyamal Kumar Paul2,4*, Zoarder Faruque Ahmed3, Debasish Saha2, Mst. Kaniz Fatema 3 and Priyanka Rani Majumdar2 1. Department of Fisheries, Matshyabhaban, Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh 2. Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh. 3. Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. 4. Research Cell, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh. *Corresponding Author:
[email protected] ___________________________________________________________________________________ ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article History: The reproductive biology of the silver hatchet chela, Chela cachius, was Received: Jan. 3, 2021 addressed in the present study. A total of 1200 specimens were caught by Accepted: June 19, 2021 fine meshed seine nets from a large perennial water body in Bangladesh Online: Aug. 9, 2021 Agricultural University Campus, Mymensingh. The gonadosomatic index _______________ and the histological examination suggested that the spawning seasons of C. cachius were from February to May and from July to September. Keywords: Based on histological examination, nine stages of oocyte development Chela cachius, were determined; namely, early perinucleolus, late perinucleolus, yolk Gonadosomatic vesicle, primary yolk, secondary yolk, tertiary yolk, migratory nucleus, index, premature and mature stage. The absence of postovulatory follicle and Spawning stages, hydrated eggs and the presence of two modes of eggs in the mature Fecundity. ovaries indicated that C.