Keywords
Fish species
Morphometric
Gonadosomatic index
Lake Alau
Arid zone
Nigeria
Morphometric
Gonadosomatic index
Lake Alau
Arid zone
Nigeria
Abstract
Some biological aspects of Clarias gariepinus, Oreochromis niloticus, and Heterotis niloticus from Lake Alau were investigated for Ten (10) months (July 2012 – April 2013). Out of the 518 Fish samples collected randomly, Clarias gariepinus was the dominant species with a size distribution ranging from 10-37cm standard length (total length: 12-40cm); weight (61.70-1440.20g). The size of O. niloticus ranged from 23.28-27.28cm as the mean,
standard length, 25.62-30.16cm mean total length and 26.68-115.60g (mean weight), while 131-3504g with corresponding 40.00-68.30cm and 43.30-70.20cm standard and total length of H. niloticus. All the species studied indicated negative allometric growth (b<3). The GSI revealed a significant difference (P>0.05) among all three species. However, there is no significant difference (P<0.05) in O. niloticus during the entire study months.
The information obtained on the length-weight relationship and GSI are important parameters for stock assessment and understanding of the population dynamics, which could be used to promote the species in the wild. Thus, condition factor, K, is a useful index in monitoring food supply, breeding season, growth, physiological state, relative robustness, and the general well-being of intra and inters populations of the studied species.
References
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Anene, A. (2005). Condition factor of your Cichlid species of a Man-made lake in Imo State, south east, Nigeria. Turkish Journal of Fisheries, Aquatic Science, 5:43-47.
Araoye, P. A. (2001). Morphology of the gonads in the reproductive cycle of Synodontis schall (Pisces: Mochokidae) in Asa lake, Ilorin, Nigeria. Journal of Aquatic Science, 16 (2): 105-110.
Ayoade, A. A. and Ikulala, A. O. O. (2007). Length-weight relation condition factor and stomach contents of Hemichromis bomaculatus, Serotherodon melanotheron and Chromidotilapia guntheri (Perciformers Cichlidae in Eleiyele Lake, South West Nigeria. Rev. Bio. Trop. 55: 3-4.
Bagenal, T. B. (1978). Age and growth, Fish production in freshwater. Eds;T.B. Bagenal Blackwell, Oxford, London, 120-128.
Bagenal, T. B. and Tesch, F. W. (1978). Methods for the assessment of fish production in fresh waters: Age and Growth. Oxford, Blackwell Scientific Publication London. 101-136.
Balart, E. F., Gonzalez, A. Romero-Ponee, RC Zayas-Alvarez, A, Calderon-Parra. M. Campos-Davila, L and Findlay L. (2006). Length-weight relationships of Cryptic reef fishes from the southwestern Gulf of California, Mexico. Journal of applied Ichthyology 22 (4): 316-318.
Bankole N.O., Sule O. D., Okwundu E.C; Amadu, M. (1994). Investigation on the Frame and Catch Assessment Survey of Alau Lake. Annual Report of NIFFRI. 28.
Bolorunduro, P. I. (2003). Post-harvest loss assessment and adoption of disseminated technologies in the Artisanal Fisheries of North western Nigeria. Ph.D Thesis, Department Biological Science, University of Ibadan.
Bonga, D. (1999). Globalization of trade relation and Africa trade for fish. Bimonthly bulletin for the West Africa programme improvement of post-harvest utilization of Artisanal Fish Catches, 45:8-9.
Boulenger, G.A. (1916). Catalogue of the Freshwater Fishes of Africa in the British Museum of Natural History. Vol. IV, Trustees, London, 392Pp.
Britton, J. R. and Harper, D. M. (2006). Length-Weight Relationship of Fish species in the freshwater rift valley lakes of Kenya. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 22(4): 334-336.
Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA) (1986). A Resettlement Plan for Jere Bowl scheme Report submitted to the Chad Basin Development Authority by Askoning Nig. Ltd. 59Pp.
Dul I. J. and M. Kraljevi (1996) Weight-Length relationship of 40 fish species in the eastern Adriatic (Croatian waters) Fisheries Resources, 28: 243-251.
Entusa-Mensah, M., Osei-Abunyewa, A. and Palomares, M.L.D. (1995). Length-weight relationship of fishes attributes of Volta Rivers, Ghana: Part I. Analysis of pooled data sets NAGA: ICLARM Quarterly. 18(1):36-38.
Fasesan R.T. (2000). Zooplankton Composition and Abundance in Lake Alau, North Eastern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Experimental Biology. 1(2): 111-6.
Fish Base, (2006). “Family-Search Result, Africa-Inland Waters”. In Fish base (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, ed). Available from: http://www. fishbase.org/
identification/ species. cfm? famcode= 349 & areacode=1Fish Base Organization (2009). Retrieved on July 14, 2009, from www.fishbase.org.
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), 1990. Field guide to the Commercial marine resources of the Gulf of Guinea. RAFR/F1/90/2, 265:28.
F.A.O. (1994). Catalogue of small scale fishing gear in Nigeria RAFR/014/F1/94/02. 42Pp.
Hannifer, M. A., Nagaraja, M. and Gopalakarisnan, (2006). Length-Weight relationship of Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793) from Western Ghats Rivers of Tamil Nadu. Journal of Applied Technology 22 (5): 463-463.
Idowu R. T. (2004). Limnological Assessment of Lake Alau, Borno State, Nigeria. Ph.D Thesis, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 189Pp.
Ikomi, R. B. (1996). Studies on the growth pattern, feeding habits and reproductive characteristics of the Mormyrid, Brienomyrus longianalis (Boulenger) in the Upper Warri Rivers, Nigeria. Journal of Fisheries Research, 26: 187-198.
Ita, E.O. (1993). Inland Fishery Resources of Nigeria. FAO, CIFA occasional paper No.20, Rome, Italy, FAO. 120Pp.
Jamu, D. M. and Ayinla, A.O. (2003). Potential for the Development of Agriculture in Africa. NAGA, 26(3): 9-13.
King, R. P. (1966a). Length-weight relationship of Nigerian freshwater fishes. NAGA. The ICLARM Quarterly 19 (3): 49-53pp.
Kumolu-Johnson C. A., Ndimele, P. E. Akintola, S. L. and Jibuike, C. C. (2010). Copper, Zinc, and Iron concentration in water, sediment and Cynothrissament (Regan, 1917) from Obge Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria, a preliminary survey. African Journal of Aquatic Science, 35:87-94.
Laleye, P. A. (2006). Length-Weight and Length-Length of fishes from the Queme Rivers in Benin (West Africa). Journal of applied Ichthyology 22 (4): 330-333.
Lalaye, P. A. (2006). Length-weight relationship of fishes from the Queme River in Benin (West Africa). Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 22:330-333.
Lalaye, P., Chikou, A., Gnohossou, P., Vandewalle, P., Phillippart, J.C and Tengels, G. (2006). Studies on the Biology of two species of Catfish, Synodontis schall and Synodentis nigrita (Ostariophysi Mochokidae) from the Queme River, Benin, Belgium Journal of zoology. 136(2): 193-201.
Le Cren. E. D. (1951). The Length-weight relationship and seasonal cycle in gonad weight and condition in perch (Perca fliviatitis) Journal of Animal Ecology 20:12-16.
Miranda, R,. Oscoz, J., Launda, P. M. and Escale, M. C. (2006). Weight-Length relationship of Cyprinid fishes of Liberia Peninsula. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 22 (4): 297-298.
Nwoko, C. V. (1991). Fisheries, Resources and Politics of Inland water resources development in Nigeria. With particular reference to and Zone in Arid zone Hydrology and water resources. University of Maiduguri Press, 493-500.
Odo, G. K., Nwani C. D. and Eyo J. E. (2009). The Fish fauna of Anambra River Basin, Mageroa Species abundance and morphometry. Revista de Biologia Tropical, 57 (1-2): 177-186.
Offem, B. O., Ayotunde, E. O., and Ikpi, G. U. (2008). Dynamics in the reproductive biology of Heterobranchus longifilis Val, (Pisces: 1840) in the wetlands of Cross Rivers, Nigeria. Research Journal of Fisheries and Hydrobiology, 3 (1): 22-31.
Oguzie, F.A. (1997). A key to some of freshwater fishes of Nigeria (Adopted from Boulenger and Welman). Dept of Fisheries, University of Benin, Benin City, 1-14.
Oni, S. K., Olayemi, J. Y. and Adegbeye, J. D. (1983). Comparative Physiology of three ecologically distinct freshwater fishes, Alestes nurse and Tilapia Zilli (Gervais). Journal of Fisheries Biology, 22:105-109.
Pauly, D. (1983). Some simple method for assessment of tropical fish stocks FAO. Fisheries Technical Paper (234) FAO, Rome, 34Pp.
Reed, W., Burchard, J., Hopson, A.J.,Jenness, J. and Yaro, I. (1967). Fish and Fisheries of Northern Nigeria. 1st Edition, Ministry of Agriculture press, Northern Nigeria, 225Pp.
Saliu, J. K., (2001). Observation on the condition factor of Brycinus nurse (Pisces: cypriniforms, characidae) from Asa Reservoir, Ilorin, Nigeria Tropical Freshwater Biolography, 10:9-17.
Saliu, J. K. and Fagade, S. O. (2003). The Reproductive Biology of Brycinnus nurse (Paugy, 1986). (Pisces: Charactolae) in Asa reservoir, Ilorin, Nigeria. Turkish Journal of fisheries and Aquatic Science, 3:5-9.
Soyinka, O.O., Kuton, M.P and Ayo-Olalusi, C.I. (2010). Seasonal distribution and richness of species in the Badagry Lagoon, South-west, Nigeria. Estonian J. Ecol., 59 (2): 147-157.
Stiassny, M.L.J. and Rominosoa, 1994. The fishes of the inland waters of Madagascar. In Biological diversity of African fresh-and brackish water fishes (Teugels, G.G. J.F. Guegan and J.J. Albaret, Eds.) Geographical overviews presented at the PARADI Symposium, Senegal, and 15-20 November 1993.
Ann. Mus. R. Afr. Centr. Sci. Zool., 275:177.
Tauran C., Erguden D., Turan F. and Gurlek M. (2004). Genetic and morphological structure of liza abu (Heckel, 1843). Population from the Rivers Orontes, Euphrates and Tigris. Turkey Journal of Veterinary/Animal Science, 28:729-734.
Thomas, J. D. (1996). On the Biology of the Catfish Clarias senegalensis in a Man-made Lake in the Ghanaian Savanna, with a particular reference of its feeding habits. Journal of Zoology, 148:476-514.
Tuegels, G.G. and Powell, J.R. (1993). Freshwater biodiversity a preliminary global assessment: Important areas for freshwater biodiversity in Niger Basin area. In WCMC Biodiversity series No. 8.Available from: http://www.unep-cmc.org/information_services/publications/freshwater/4.htm
Tuegels, G. and Guegan, J.F. (1994). Freshwater biodiversity a preliminary global assessment: Important areas for freshwater biodiversity in Congo Basin. In WCMC Biodiversity series No. 8.Available from:http://www.unep-wcmc.org/information_services/publications/freshwater/4.htm
[Accessed 20 December 2008].
United Nation Organization. (1992) International Standard for Drinking water 3rd edition. World Health organization, Genera.
Welcomme, R. L. and Halls, A. (2001). Some considerations of the effects of differentions, Ecohydrology and Hydrobiology, 1:313-321.
Welman, J.B. (1948). Preliminary survey of the Freshwater Fisheries of Nigeria. 8 Governments, Lagos, Nigeria. Wikipedia, 2009. Fauna of Africa. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauna_of_Africa.
Wilson, J. P. K and Pitcher, T. J. (1983). The Seasonal cycle of condition in the pollen Coregonus autmnalis pollen Thomson of lough neagh, Northern Ireland. Journal of Fish Biology, 23:370.
Anene, A. (2005). Condition factor of your Cichlid species of a Man-made lake in Imo State, south east, Nigeria. Turkish Journal of Fisheries, Aquatic Science, 5:43-47.
Araoye, P. A. (2001). Morphology of the gonads in the reproductive cycle of Synodontis schall (Pisces: Mochokidae) in Asa lake, Ilorin, Nigeria. Journal of Aquatic Science, 16 (2): 105-110.
Ayoade, A. A. and Ikulala, A. O. O. (2007). Length-weight relation condition factor and stomach contents of Hemichromis bomaculatus, Serotherodon melanotheron and Chromidotilapia guntheri (Perciformers Cichlidae in Eleiyele Lake, South West Nigeria. Rev. Bio. Trop. 55: 3-4.
Bagenal, T. B. (1978). Age and growth, Fish production in freshwater. Eds;T.B. Bagenal Blackwell, Oxford, London, 120-128.
Bagenal, T. B. and Tesch, F. W. (1978). Methods for the assessment of fish production in fresh waters: Age and Growth. Oxford, Blackwell Scientific Publication London. 101-136.
Balart, E. F., Gonzalez, A. Romero-Ponee, RC Zayas-Alvarez, A, Calderon-Parra. M. Campos-Davila, L and Findlay L. (2006). Length-weight relationships of Cryptic reef fishes from the southwestern Gulf of California, Mexico. Journal of applied Ichthyology 22 (4): 316-318.
Bankole N.O., Sule O. D., Okwundu E.C; Amadu, M. (1994). Investigation on the Frame and Catch Assessment Survey of Alau Lake. Annual Report of NIFFRI. 28.
Bolorunduro, P. I. (2003). Post-harvest loss assessment and adoption of disseminated technologies in the Artisanal Fisheries of North western Nigeria. Ph.D Thesis, Department Biological Science, University of Ibadan.
Bonga, D. (1999). Globalization of trade relation and Africa trade for fish. Bimonthly bulletin for the West Africa programme improvement of post-harvest utilization of Artisanal Fish Catches, 45:8-9.
Boulenger, G.A. (1916). Catalogue of the Freshwater Fishes of Africa in the British Museum of Natural History. Vol. IV, Trustees, London, 392Pp.
Britton, J. R. and Harper, D. M. (2006). Length-Weight Relationship of Fish species in the freshwater rift valley lakes of Kenya. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 22(4): 334-336.
Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA) (1986). A Resettlement Plan for Jere Bowl scheme Report submitted to the Chad Basin Development Authority by Askoning Nig. Ltd. 59Pp.
Dul I. J. and M. Kraljevi (1996) Weight-Length relationship of 40 fish species in the eastern Adriatic (Croatian waters) Fisheries Resources, 28: 243-251.
Entusa-Mensah, M., Osei-Abunyewa, A. and Palomares, M.L.D. (1995). Length-weight relationship of fishes attributes of Volta Rivers, Ghana: Part I. Analysis of pooled data sets NAGA: ICLARM Quarterly. 18(1):36-38.
Fasesan R.T. (2000). Zooplankton Composition and Abundance in Lake Alau, North Eastern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Experimental Biology. 1(2): 111-6.
Fish Base, (2006). “Family-Search Result, Africa-Inland Waters”. In Fish base (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, ed). Available from: http://www. fishbase.org/
identification/ species. cfm? famcode= 349 & areacode=1Fish Base Organization (2009). Retrieved on July 14, 2009, from www.fishbase.org.
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), 1990. Field guide to the Commercial marine resources of the Gulf of Guinea. RAFR/F1/90/2, 265:28.
F.A.O. (1994). Catalogue of small scale fishing gear in Nigeria RAFR/014/F1/94/02. 42Pp.
Hannifer, M. A., Nagaraja, M. and Gopalakarisnan, (2006). Length-Weight relationship of Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793) from Western Ghats Rivers of Tamil Nadu. Journal of Applied Technology 22 (5): 463-463.
Idowu R. T. (2004). Limnological Assessment of Lake Alau, Borno State, Nigeria. Ph.D Thesis, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 189Pp.
Ikomi, R. B. (1996). Studies on the growth pattern, feeding habits and reproductive characteristics of the Mormyrid, Brienomyrus longianalis (Boulenger) in the Upper Warri Rivers, Nigeria. Journal of Fisheries Research, 26: 187-198.
Ita, E.O. (1993). Inland Fishery Resources of Nigeria. FAO, CIFA occasional paper No.20, Rome, Italy, FAO. 120Pp.
Jamu, D. M. and Ayinla, A.O. (2003). Potential for the Development of Agriculture in Africa. NAGA, 26(3): 9-13.
King, R. P. (1966a). Length-weight relationship of Nigerian freshwater fishes. NAGA. The ICLARM Quarterly 19 (3): 49-53pp.
Kumolu-Johnson C. A., Ndimele, P. E. Akintola, S. L. and Jibuike, C. C. (2010). Copper, Zinc, and Iron concentration in water, sediment and Cynothrissament (Regan, 1917) from Obge Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria, a preliminary survey. African Journal of Aquatic Science, 35:87-94.
Laleye, P. A. (2006). Length-Weight and Length-Length of fishes from the Queme Rivers in Benin (West Africa). Journal of applied Ichthyology 22 (4): 330-333.
Lalaye, P. A. (2006). Length-weight relationship of fishes from the Queme River in Benin (West Africa). Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 22:330-333.
Lalaye, P., Chikou, A., Gnohossou, P., Vandewalle, P., Phillippart, J.C and Tengels, G. (2006). Studies on the Biology of two species of Catfish, Synodontis schall and Synodentis nigrita (Ostariophysi Mochokidae) from the Queme River, Benin, Belgium Journal of zoology. 136(2): 193-201.
Le Cren. E. D. (1951). The Length-weight relationship and seasonal cycle in gonad weight and condition in perch (Perca fliviatitis) Journal of Animal Ecology 20:12-16.
Miranda, R,. Oscoz, J., Launda, P. M. and Escale, M. C. (2006). Weight-Length relationship of Cyprinid fishes of Liberia Peninsula. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 22 (4): 297-298.
Nwoko, C. V. (1991). Fisheries, Resources and Politics of Inland water resources development in Nigeria. With particular reference to and Zone in Arid zone Hydrology and water resources. University of Maiduguri Press, 493-500.
Odo, G. K., Nwani C. D. and Eyo J. E. (2009). The Fish fauna of Anambra River Basin, Mageroa Species abundance and morphometry. Revista de Biologia Tropical, 57 (1-2): 177-186.
Offem, B. O., Ayotunde, E. O., and Ikpi, G. U. (2008). Dynamics in the reproductive biology of Heterobranchus longifilis Val, (Pisces: 1840) in the wetlands of Cross Rivers, Nigeria. Research Journal of Fisheries and Hydrobiology, 3 (1): 22-31.
Oguzie, F.A. (1997). A key to some of freshwater fishes of Nigeria (Adopted from Boulenger and Welman). Dept of Fisheries, University of Benin, Benin City, 1-14.
Oni, S. K., Olayemi, J. Y. and Adegbeye, J. D. (1983). Comparative Physiology of three ecologically distinct freshwater fishes, Alestes nurse and Tilapia Zilli (Gervais). Journal of Fisheries Biology, 22:105-109.
Pauly, D. (1983). Some simple method for assessment of tropical fish stocks FAO. Fisheries Technical Paper (234) FAO, Rome, 34Pp.
Reed, W., Burchard, J., Hopson, A.J.,Jenness, J. and Yaro, I. (1967). Fish and Fisheries of Northern Nigeria. 1st Edition, Ministry of Agriculture press, Northern Nigeria, 225Pp.
Saliu, J. K., (2001). Observation on the condition factor of Brycinus nurse (Pisces: cypriniforms, characidae) from Asa Reservoir, Ilorin, Nigeria Tropical Freshwater Biolography, 10:9-17.
Saliu, J. K. and Fagade, S. O. (2003). The Reproductive Biology of Brycinnus nurse (Paugy, 1986). (Pisces: Charactolae) in Asa reservoir, Ilorin, Nigeria. Turkish Journal of fisheries and Aquatic Science, 3:5-9.
Soyinka, O.O., Kuton, M.P and Ayo-Olalusi, C.I. (2010). Seasonal distribution and richness of species in the Badagry Lagoon, South-west, Nigeria. Estonian J. Ecol., 59 (2): 147-157.
Stiassny, M.L.J. and Rominosoa, 1994. The fishes of the inland waters of Madagascar. In Biological diversity of African fresh-and brackish water fishes (Teugels, G.G. J.F. Guegan and J.J. Albaret, Eds.) Geographical overviews presented at the PARADI Symposium, Senegal, and 15-20 November 1993.
Ann. Mus. R. Afr. Centr. Sci. Zool., 275:177.
Tauran C., Erguden D., Turan F. and Gurlek M. (2004). Genetic and morphological structure of liza abu (Heckel, 1843). Population from the Rivers Orontes, Euphrates and Tigris. Turkey Journal of Veterinary/Animal Science, 28:729-734.
Thomas, J. D. (1996). On the Biology of the Catfish Clarias senegalensis in a Man-made Lake in the Ghanaian Savanna, with a particular reference of its feeding habits. Journal of Zoology, 148:476-514.
Tuegels, G.G. and Powell, J.R. (1993). Freshwater biodiversity a preliminary global assessment: Important areas for freshwater biodiversity in Niger Basin area. In WCMC Biodiversity series No. 8.Available from: http://www.unep-cmc.org/information_services/publications/freshwater/4.htm
Tuegels, G. and Guegan, J.F. (1994). Freshwater biodiversity a preliminary global assessment: Important areas for freshwater biodiversity in Congo Basin. In WCMC Biodiversity series No. 8.Available from:http://www.unep-wcmc.org/information_services/publications/freshwater/4.htm
[Accessed 20 December 2008].
United Nation Organization. (1992) International Standard for Drinking water 3rd edition. World Health organization, Genera.
Welcomme, R. L. and Halls, A. (2001). Some considerations of the effects of differentions, Ecohydrology and Hydrobiology, 1:313-321.
Welman, J.B. (1948). Preliminary survey of the Freshwater Fisheries of Nigeria. 8 Governments, Lagos, Nigeria. Wikipedia, 2009. Fauna of Africa. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauna_of_Africa.
Wilson, J. P. K and Pitcher, T. J. (1983). The Seasonal cycle of condition in the pollen Coregonus autmnalis pollen Thomson of lough neagh, Northern Ireland. Journal of Fish Biology, 23:370.