Changes in body condition and proximate composition with maturation in Puntius sarana and Sarotherodon mossambicus

Changes in body condition and moisture ‘protein’ total lipid and ash content of the musculature in Puntius sarana and Sarotherodon mossambicus with maturation was studied in individuals obtained from the commercial fishery of the Parakrama Samudra, an ancient man-made lake in Sri Lanka. In S. mossambicus the body condition declined, in both sexes, with increasing maturity whilst in P. sarana the body condition improved with maturation until Stages IV/V and declined after spawning.