Effects of preservation method on length and weight of pond raised tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus, 1898) and African mirror carp (Cyprinus capio, Ruppell, 1832)

Abstract

Length and weight measurements of fish used for taxonomy and determination of length-weight relationship are taken from preserved specimen. This study sets out to investigate the effects of two preservatives, 70% alcohol and 10% formalin and freezing method on the length and weight of preserved specimens of tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus) and African mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio). The results showed different effects. Formalin showed the least effect. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in length and weight after preservation in any of the preservatives and freezing after 5 weeks.

Keywords: Morphometric characters, species identification, taxonomy, dimensional change, rational exploitation.