Seasonal variations in length - weight relationships of the grey mullets, Liza falcipinnis from Buguma Creek, Niger delta, Nigeria

Abstract

The effect of season on length weight relationship of grey mullets Liza falcipinnis from Buguma Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria was determined. Samples of the specie were collected bi-monthly February 2005 to January 2006. Total lengths (cm) of the fish were measure and corresponding weight (g) recorded. The data obtained were subjected to linear regression analysis. The results obtained indicated isometric growth for Liza falicipinnis with slope: Mean value (b) = 2.771±0.961 and regression coefficient (R²) = 0.9131±0.212. The month to month analysis of the data indicated a lower mean total length and mean total weight from October to January compared to other months. Slope (b) and R² obtained were within range except in the month of October and November, which were significantly (p< 0.05) lower than all other months.

Keywords: Mullets, Liza falcipinnis, length–weight relationship, creek, Niger Delta

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 5(4): 334-337, 2009