LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIPS AND CONDITION FACTOR OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS AND OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS IN GUBI DAM, BAUCHI STATE

Abstract

Studies were conducted to determine the length-weight relationships and condition factor (k) of Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus from Gubi Dam, Ganjuwa Local Government Area, Bauchi State Nigeria were evaluated for a period of four months, (September, October, November, and December, 2019). The following fish species where encountered and identified: Oreochromis niliticus, Clarias gariepinus, Alestes nurse, Labeo senegalensis, Barillu senegalensis, Distinchodus engycephalus, Heminchromis faciatus and Schilbe mystus. Atotal of three hundred and twenty two (322) O. niloticus and one hundred and twenty seven (127) C. gariepinus were collected in the dam by artisanal fishermen using drag net and traps. The length and weight of Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus were measured using meter rule and electronic weighing scale (T500Y) respectively. Model equations of O. niloticus and C. gariepinus were W = 0.0692 x L 2.3857 and W = 0.0342 x L 2.5559. The fish species had negative allometric growth pattern (b<-3). The length-weight relationships of the fish species (Oreochromis nilotiuss and Clarias gariepinus) showed no significant difference P > 0.05. Oreochromis niloticus had a good condition factor with (k) value of 1.7525 while Clarias gariepinus had poor condition factor (K) with value of 0.7510. The condition factor (K) for dry season ranges from 1.7705 (O. niloticus) to 1.8474 (C. gariepinus) indicating that the fish species were in good nutrition condition. The condition factor (k) values for both species were (K >1) indicating the fishes in dam were in good condition except C. gariepinus obtained in wet season. Fishing regulations should be introduced in Gubi Dam.