LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP AND CONDITION FACTOR OF Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus FROM LEKKI LAGOON, SOUTH-WEST, NIGERIA

T. S. GBAIOR; W. O. ABDUL; E. T. AKANGE; I. U. MUHAMMAD; S. E. JEIYOL; U. B. ALABI

Authors

T. S. GBAIOR Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria.
W. O. ABDUL Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria
E. T. AKANGE
I. U. MUHAMMAD
S. E. JEIYOL
U. B. ALABI Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Keywords:

Growth index, Cubic law, Silver Catfish, Brackish Water

Abstract

Length-weight relationships are crucial in fishery stock assessments and when combined with the relative condition factor, may yield an estimate of the possible prevailing environmental factors. This study assessed the length-weight relation and condition factor of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from Lekki Lagoon, Southwest, Nigeria for a duration of 12 months between January and December, 2022. The lagoon was randomly stratified into five landing sites: Whaf, Ebute-Oni, Agbalegiyo, Ilumofin and Luboye. A total number of 6,123 fish samples were taken from the local commercial fishers immediately after harvesting using assorted fish gears and were identified using identification keys. Mean length was 18.53±7.41 cm and weight was 106.32±171.97 g in the wet season but 16.16±5.72 cm and 69.26±104.40 g, respectively in the dry season. The length-weight relationship revealed a mean ‘b’ value of 2.73±0.17 (r = 0.91±0.02) which was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the isomeric value 3. Mean condition factor (k) ranged from 1.18 in April to 2.07 in September with a mean value of 1.61±0.26. It is concluded that C. nigrodigitatus species exhibited negative allometric growth pattern in the lagoon and they are in a good physiological state.

Author Biographies

T. S. GBAIOR, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria.

W. O. ABDUL, Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria

E. T. AKANGE

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria

I. U. MUHAMMAD

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University, P.M.B. 5001, Dustsin-Ma, Nigeria

S. E. JEIYOL

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria.

U. B. ALABI, Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

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