Length-weight relationship and condition factor of Bostrychus africanus from New Calabar River, Nigeria

Abstract

The likely variations in the length-weight relationship and condition of Bostrychus africanus as it grows in the New Calabar River was studied with samples collected over a period of twenty months (n= 3103). The growth pattern determined by the power curve W = aTL^b indicated a mean negatively allometric growth (2.65 ± 0.04), the mean intercept was 1.525 ± 0.038 and a correlation coefficient (r²) of 0.8892. Analysis of condition by Fulton’s factor gave a mean value of 1.353 ± 0.0047. The condition factor for females was higher than that of males. The fish had its peak condition between December to January and August to September. The condition of the fish in the New Calabar River was good.