LENGTH WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP, CONDITION FACTOR AND DIET COMPOSITION OF Brycinus nurse (CHARACIFORMES: ALESTIDAE) IN A TROPICAL FLOOD RIVER BASIN
| Main Author: | Uneke Bilikis Iyabo |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article eJournal |
| Terbitan: |
, 2014
|
| Online Access: |
https://zenodo.org/record/3526833 |
Daftar Isi:
- Length-weight relationship (LWR) has several applications, namely on fish biology, physiology, ecology and fisheries assessment. In biological studies, LWR enables seasonal variation in fish growth to be followed and the calculation of condition indexes relating to diet composition. Therefore length weight relationship, condition factor and diet composition of Brycinus nurse was studied (January 2010-June 2011). The regression of the length-weight relationship for B. nurse with size range of 6.3-22.8cm TL was; TW= 0.112 TL2.425, correlation co-efficient (r) was high and the b value showed a negative allometric growth. Monthly condition factor values for B. nurse were between 1.0 and 3.4. The population (combined sex) had highest and lowest K values of 1.3 and 2.5 respectively (mean 1.79 ± 0.35). The stock was in good condition as K values were above 1.0. Percentage frequency of occurrence with Barbus scale having the highest percentage (37.7) followed by green algae (30.8) and Barbus spp (30.5) while the least percentage was in Chironomus larvae (13.7). Stomach content indicated that older fish specimens fed better than the younger ones both by body length and weight. The food items in the stomach of B. nurse suggest that the species is omnivorous. The ability of B. nurse to feed on a number of different organisms in mid Cross River, coupled with the potential for fast growth, make this specie a promising specie for commercial culture.