Understanding the Structural Details of Scales in Catla catla

India is rich in inland freshwater fishes comprise of about 940 species from rivers, lakes and estuaries. This constitutes 38% of Indian Ichthyofauna. They have considerable economic and scientific value. Age determination of fish population is an important tool in fisheries research. Knowledge of fish age characteristics is necessary for stock assessment, management and conservation. It helps to study growth rate of fishes which leads to an effective and conducive assessment. Moreover, it helps to analyze the longevity, mortality rates of population and degree of tolerance to predators and environmental stress.

Diana Handa B.Sc. (Medical), M.Sc. (Hon's), M.Phil. (Zoology) is a Research Scholar (Ph.D.) working on toxicology in fishes exposed to industrial effluents. She is an author of nine publications in reputed journals and have six years of research experience.