Fecundity and condition of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Family Claroteidae) in Yewa Lagoon, Nigeria

Abstract

The minimum and maximum standard length of females caught was 8.0cm (14.5g body weight) and 14.6cm (53.4g body weight) respectively while the males were 10.1cm (19.8g) and 17.1cm (68.6g). The gonadosomatic index (GSI) for females ranged between 6.55 and 25.57 while males ranged between 5.68 and 16.55. Significant (P<0.05) relationships were observed between standard length, body weight, gonad weight and fecundity. There was significant (P<0.05) relationship between body weight and fecundity. Body weight and GSI had no significant (P>0.05) relationship with condition factor in C. nigrodigitatus in Yewa Lagoon. The condition factor (K) ranged between 1.58 and 2.92 for the females while males ranged between 1.08 and 2.79. The condition of female fish was slightly better than that of male fish of the same length.

Keywords: Fecundity, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus