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Published:
Dec 20, 1991Keywords:
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Fecundity, Gonadosomatic Index and breeding cycle of the Clupeid Illisha Africana (Bloch) occurring in the coastal waters of Cape Coast (Ghana)
Abstract
The fecundity of llisha Africana ranged from 1,013 to 10,600 (mean, 3,985) for fish measuring 13.4 cm to 19.3cm total length with body weights 17.1g to 64.8g and gonad weight of 0.33g to 2.21g. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) -was higher in the female than in the males. This was 'attributed to yolk and fat probably needed for nourishment in the developing eggs. The GSI was also found generally to increase with the stage of maturity of the fish. Information based on the ripe and ripe running stages of both males and females, the gonad weight, the condition factor, and oocyte diameter indicates that llisha africana breeds probably throughout the year, spawns more than once during a breeding season and that, possibly, the peak spawning periods are June-July, November and March.
