Length-weight Relationship, Condition Factor and Feeding Habits of Synodontis clarias (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Lower River Benue at Makurdi, Nigeria

P M Akombo,J N Shima,E T Akange,B O Amali

doi:10.46912/napas.9

Abstract

The Length-Weight Relationship (LWR), Condition factor (K) and feeding habits of Synodontis clarias (Linnaeus, 1758) were investigated over a 24 month period from January, 2009 - December, 2010. A total number of 163 specimens comprising of 74 females and 89 males with the size range of 7.60 – 20.00cm and the mean of 12.72± 0.258cm were investigated. The weight ranged from 13.12 – 607.30g with the mean of 65.83± 0.897g. The LWRs for the females, males and combined sexes had the r values of 0. 8415, 0.9463 and 0.8703 respectively. The mean condition factor K was 3.3667, 2.6868 and 2.9954 for the females, males and combined sexes respectively. The regression coefficient b was 1.9408, 1.8799 and 2.1359 for the females, males and combined sexes respectively indicating negative allometric growth pattern for the species. Out of the 163 stomachs examined for food items, 88 (53.99%) were empty while 75 (46.01%) contained a wide range and varying quantities of food items indicating that S.clarias in River Benue is omnivorous.

Highlights

The red-tailed catfish Synodontis clarias is a fish with good aquaculture attributes and well priced ornamental qualities (Offem et al, 2013). Paugy and Roberts (1992) reported that the native range of the species covered Chad, Niger, Senegal, Gambia, the Volta basins and the Nile. Reide (2004) reported that the fish was a bentho-pelagic and potamodromous freshwater fish with a pH range of 6.5 - 9.5
Agbozu et al, (2007) described it as an important fish with bioeconomic value to the inhabitants of the Taylor Creek in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria while Odo et al, (2009) reported that Tilapia niloticus and Synodontis clarias were the most preponderant species of fish found in the Anambra River, and constitute the main diet for over one million rural dwellers living
The high positive correlation in the length-weight relationship of S.clarias in the Lower River Benue at Makurdi agrees with many researchers of length-weight relationships such as Ayuba (1997) on Synodontis species in River Benue at Yola; Abubakar and Ishaya (2000) on O.niloticus in Geriyo lake, Yola; Abubakar and Edward (2002) on the catfish Synodontis in upper Benue River basin Yola; Abowei and Hart (2009) on ten finfish species from the lower

Summary

Introduction

The red-tailed catfish Synodontis clarias is a fish with good aquaculture attributes and well priced ornamental qualities (Offem et al, 2013). Paugy and Roberts (1992) reported that the native range of the species covered Chad, Niger (including the Benue River), Senegal, Gambia, the Volta basins and the Nile. Reide (2004) reported that the fish was a bentho-pelagic and potamodromous freshwater fish with a pH range of 6.5 - 9.5. Paugy and Roberts (1992) reported that the native range of the species covered Chad, Niger (including the Benue River), Senegal, Gambia, the Volta basins and the Nile. Reide (2004) reported that the fish was a bentho-pelagic and potamodromous freshwater fish with a pH range of 6.5 - 9.5. Synodontis clarias is one of the species of Synodontis that are found in river Benue though at the period of this study, they were not very common. Agbozu et al, (2007) described it as an important fish with bioeconomic value to the inhabitants of the Taylor Creek in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria while Odo et al, (2009) reported that Tilapia niloticus and Synodontis clarias were the most preponderant species of fish found in the Anambra River, and constitute the main diet for over one million rural dwellers living

Methods

Results

Conclusion