Studies on Length–weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Seven Commercially Important Freshwater Fish Species of Asejire Lake, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract

Length-weight relationships provide information useful in estimation of standing stock biomass and compare the ontogeny of fish population from different water bodies for sustainable fish production. Hence, the length–weightrelationships(LWR) and condition factor ofseven endemic fish speciesinAsejireLake were investigated. One thousand three hundred and eighty one (1,381) fish samples were collected from fisher's catch and identification and measurements oflength and weight were made in situ. The weight (W) - length (L) relationships were estimated using the b logarithmic form of the equation W = aL , while condition factor was determined following 3 Fulton'sequationK=100W/L .TheallometriccoefficientboftheLWRinallthespecieswasfound to be negatively allometric (b<3) except female and combined sexes of Labeo parvus where the 2 growth was positive allometric (b>3).The coefficient of determination (r ) obtained which ranged from 0.601 (Tilapia marie)to 0.979 (Labeo parvus)revealed a high degree of positive correlation. Conditionfactorvalueswerehigherthanone inallthe sevenspecies, andshowedanovertvariation with highest value in Sarotherodon galilaeus (4.037±0.41). However, all the fish species are in good condition for growth and survival in Asejire Lake. This study has therefore provided basic information on the growth pattern and general well-being of 7 fish species from Asejire Lake to updateexistingdataforsustainablefisherymanagement.