Abstract:is one of the most important endemic fish species in the Zhegu Lake of Tibet. The age structure and growth characteristics of were investigated by examining 432 samples collected in Zhegu Lake from 2017 to 2019. The body length (), otolith radius, and age were measured to describe the relationships between body length, body weight, and age. The results showed that the body length of ranged 3.1-35.6 cm and that body weight ranged from 0.4 to 645.9 g. Estimated age was between 1 and 11 years, and most individuals were 6 to 8 years of age (accounting for about 35% of the total samples). The relationship between body weight and body length was described by the linear equation, =432), which is consistent with uniform growth characteristics. There was no significant difference in the relationship between body length, body weight, and age between males and females ( was described by the von Bertalanffy equation as t=1114.233[1-e-0.149(. The inflection age of the growth curve occurred at 8.263 years at a body length of 27.826 cm and weight of 333.811 g. The apparent growth index was 4.399. The age structure of in Zhegu Lake is simplified and the population is in the growing period, which may be affected by the special geographical location and ecological habitat of Zhegu Lake. The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for the protection of this species in Tibet's fragile ecosystem. This study proposes to suggest measures to control water management in the river entering the lake and limit human activities such as fishing and tourism, so as to improve the ecological environment of Zhegu Lake and protect the population of .
