Volume 13, Issue 2: 2023 - Article 2

Length-weight relationships and condition factor status of fishes in Ozizza and Ndibe rivers in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Chijioke I. Otuu, Adeoye Olatunde and Ogochukwu C. Chiamah*
Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Abstract
This study evaluated the length-weight relationships (LWRs) and condition factor status of fish species from Ozizza and Ndibe rivers in Afikpo North Local Government Area (LGA), Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Earlier studies in these rivers had reported concentrations of manganese and chromium that are beyond standard limits; there was therefore the need to evaluate the suitability of these rivers to support growth of fish species. Samples of fish species caught by anglers were procured at the landing sites of both rivers between the months of May and August, 2019 and used for the study. The fish species were identified using a standard guide. Thereafter, total length (TL), standard length (SL), and weight of the fish species were measured using metre rule and a sensitive weighing balance, as appropriate. The LWRs, condition status and TL-SL relationships of the fishes were calculated using standard protocols. The condition factor status of the fish species from the rivers were assessed by the Fulton condition factor (K) and relative condition factor (K_n). Three fish species were identified: Clarias anguillaris, Tilapia zillii and eel fish (Anguilla spp.). Only the eel fish from both rivers (2.241 – 2.289) and C. angularis (2.607) from Ozizza river showed negative allometric growth (< 3). The K values ranged from 0.732 to 1.793 for all other fish species. The K_n values of the fish species ranged from 0.984 to 1.00. Results suggest that factors such as size, state of maturity and environmental factors affect the LWR and K of the eel fish and C. anguillaris in the rivers. Further, the K_n values showed that the Ozizza and Ndibe rivers in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, can, at the time of the study, support the growth of the fish species found therein.

Keywords: Fish species; Length-weight relationship; Condition factor status; Growth pattern; Ozizza and Ndibe rivers, Afikpo Nigeria.

How to cite this article:
Otuu CI, Olatunde A and Chiamah OC (2023). Length-weight relationships and condition factor status of fishes in Ozizza and Ndibe rivers in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 13(2): 182 – 189.

*Correspondence: E-mail:  caroline.okeke@funai.edu.ng    Phone : +2348030640703

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