Length frequency distribution, length-weight relationship and condition factor of cichlid fishes (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the New Calabar River, Nigeria

Abstract

This research was conducted to study length frequency distribution, length-weight relationship (LWR) and condition factor of 10 cichlid fishes, viz. Coptodon guineensis , Coptodon zillii , Coptodon dageti , Pelmatolapia mariae , Hemichromis fasciatus , Pelvicachromis taeniatus , Chomidotilapia guntheri , Tylochromis sudanensis, Sarotherodon galilaeus and Sarotherodon melanotheron from New Calabar River. Samples were collected on monthly basis during February to July, 2017. A total of 1073 specimens ranging from 13.12±0.82 to 17.07±0.94cm in total length and 45.00±8.00 to 103.01±25.81g in total weight were collected. The LWR regressions showed that the exponent b value ranged from 2.38 ( Coptodon guineensis ) to 3.00 ( Sarotherodon galilaeus ). The coefficients of determination ( r 2 ) of the LWR regressions ranged between 0.82 for Coptodon guineensis and 0.98 for Sarotherodon galilaeus indicating strong LWR relationships. The Fulton condition factor ranged from 1.95±0.06 ( Pelvicachromis taeniatus ) to 2.22±0.11 ( Pelmatolapia mariae ) , indicating good conditions for the studied species.