Abstract
Hepsetus odoe is a commercially valuable fish and is considered as endemic to Nigeria. The growth patterns and condition factor of Hepsetus odoe from Lake Eleyele, Oyo State were investigated as an aspect of its biology essential for bringing it to culture. A Total of 205 specimens (55 and 150, males and females, respectively) were collected between June, 2012 and August, 2012. The morphometric indices such as Total Length (TL), Standard Length (SL), Body Weight (BW) and Stomach Weight (SW) were assessed using standard methods. Also, the length-weight relationship (W=aLb) and Condition factor (100W/L3) were calculated. Sex ratio of 1:3 (Males and Females) was obtained which shows a female dominated population. The Standard length (SL) and body weight (BW) ranged from 16.60-30.50 cm and 51.0-250.0 g respectively. Length-weight relationship equations were calculated as: Log BW=2.051+3.105log SL (r=0.93) This analysis showed significant relationship between the standard length, body weight and stomach weight. The relative condition factor (Kn) calculated ranged from 0.99-2.14 while the mean K value was 1.24. The condition factor fall within the range recommended for freshwater fish species in the tropics. The growth pattern indicates that the fish follows cube law and exhibited positive allometry growth. This information provides important tool in fishery management and guide for future culture trials.
Highlights
IntroductionAn artificial lake constructed in 1942 supports fish consumption and conservation in South-west, Nigeria
Eleyele dam, an artificial lake constructed in 1942 supports fish consumption and conservation in South-west, Nigeria
H. odoe form a significant part of commercial catches in Eleyele Lake but little or no work has been reported on this specie from the Lake
Summary
An artificial lake constructed in 1942 supports fish consumption and conservation in South-west, Nigeria. The quest to create a modern water supply system to meet the challenge of water scarcity for the emerging Ibadan metropolis led to the construction of Eleyele Dam on the main River Ona with a reservoir storage capacity of 29.5 million litres [1] The lake experiences both dry and rainy seasons typical of tropical environment. Adebisi documented families like Cichlidae, Channidae, Gymnarchidae, Latidae, Hepsetidae, Clariidae, Osteoglossidae, e.t.c., as fauna resources of the lake [2] Among these resources, Hepsetus odoe form an important fish species of commercial fish resources whose bionomic has not been adequately studied. A medium size African pike contain 26.2% protein, 18.2% fat, 7.5% carbohydrate, 7.7% ash, 1.3% fibre and 128.5 μg/g [6] This species prefers quiet and deep water, can reach up to about 70 cm in length and 4 kg in weight [7]. This study investigates the length-weight relationships and condition factor of H. odoe for effective management, sustainable exploitation and as a prelude to make it an aquaculture candidate
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