Length-weight relationship and condition factor of selected finfish species from Odi River, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Length-weight relationships and condition factors of selected finfish species were studied in Kolokuma/Opokuma axis of River Odi for six months (November 2011 to January 2012) to enhance management decision in management of the fishery. These were: Alestopetersius smykalai ( LogW = 0.0143 + 2.58LogL), Awaous lateristriga (LogW = 0.0143 + 2.58LogL), Auchenoglanis occidentalis (LogW = 0.0375 + 2.88LogL), Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Log W = 0.0536 + 2.97Log L), Awaous lateristriga (LogW = 0.0732 + 3.01Log L), Bostrychus africanus (LogW = 0.763 + 2.87LogL), Chromidotilapia guentheri (Log W = 0.977 + 3.11LogL), Brienomyrus kingsleyae (Log W = 0.977 + 3.11LogL) and Arius gigas (Log W = 0.997 + 2.94LogL). Awaous lateristriga, Chromidotilapia guentheri and Brienomyrus kingsleyae exhibited allometric growth, while Alestopetersius smykalai, Awaous lateristriga, Auchenoglanis occidentalis, Bostrychus africanus and Arius gigas exhibited isometric growth. Their respective condition index values were Alestes dentex (0.83 – 1.00), Anaspidoglanis akiri (0.91 – 1.00), Bagrus docmak (0.83 – 1.00), Barbus aboinensis (0.87 – 1.00), Brienomyrus brachyi stius (0.86 – 1.00), Bathygobius soporator (0.96 – 1.00), Chrysichthys aluuensis (0.84 – 1.00), Aphyosemion bivittatum (0.82 – 1.00), Chiloglanis benuensis (0.96 – 1.00) and Arius latiscutatus (0.86 – 0.93). Condition factors were: 0.94, 0.96, 0.92, 0.92, 0.93, 0.96, 0.98, 0.92, 0.91 and 0.93. All finfish species were in good condition.

Key Words: Fish, isometric growth, allometric growth, good condition, Odi River