Hepsetus Odoe Research Articles

A Survey of the Ichtyofauna of Ogbese River, South West, Nigeria

An investigation into the icthyofauna of Ogbese River, south west, Nigeria, was carried out between October 2010-February 2011. A total of 2,700 individual were caught during the study. Nine (9) species belonging to six (6) families were recorded during the period of study. However, six (6) species [Clarias gariepinus; (410), Heterobranchus bidorsalis (508), Oreochromis niloticus (508), Oreochromis niloticus (410), Mormyrus rume(227), Mormyrus macrophythamus (221) and Malapterurus electricus(341)], were dominant specie, Hepsetus odoe and Parachanna obscura were sub-dominant, while Tilapia zillii was rare. Claridae, followed by Mormyridae and Cichlidaewere the most dominant families (33.99%; 16.58%; 15.62%), while Hepsitidae, Channidae and Malapteruridae were sub-dominant. The highest percentage of relative abundance of the various fish species was recorded in October while the least was recorded in February 2011. The results of this survey showed that the river has low fish species composition and abundance, inspite of the size of the river. Considering this fact, there is need for further survey to cover more months. There is also a need to evolve strategies for effective utilization and proper management of the river, for optimum fish production.

The Sex Ratio, Gonadosomatic Index, Diet Composition and Fecundity of African Pike, Hepsetus odoe (Bloch, 1794) in Eleyele Lake, Nigeria

The Sex ratio, Gonadosomatic index, Fecundity and Diet composition of Hepsetus odoe in Eleyele lake, Southwest, Nigeria were investigated to document aspect of biology and population dynamic of the species. This will serve as baseline information necessary for bringing the species to culture. Samples (n=205) of H. odoe were collected on a bimonthly basis from Eleyele Lake using gill nets and baited long line over a period of 3 months (June to August, 2012). Specimens were measured for Length (cm) and Weight (g) using graduated metre rule and Top load weighing balance (Model) respectively. The Stomach was opened for Gonad examination and Food content analysis. The total length ranged from 20.3-31.9 cm (males), 21.8-35.8 cm (females) while the total body weight ranged between 51.0-219.0 g (males) and 95.0-250.0 g (females) Sex ratio of 1: 2.73 (♂:♀) was observed. Gonadosomatic index ranged from 0.64 to 15.54% with a mean of 4.4 ± 0.12%. Three stages (Immature, Maturing and Matured) Ovary were observed for females. Fecundity ranged from 245 to 3,920 eggs with a mean of 2082.5 eggs. The relationships of fecundity with body weight and gonad weight were highly significant (P<0.05), while those between fecundity and standard length was not significant (r2=0.026, P<0.05). Out of 205 stomach examined, 71 (34.63%) was empty while 134 (65.37%) contained various food items. The dominant food items were Fish (tilapia), Daphnia, Copepods and Insects, and occurred in 51.0%, 14.2%, 12.0 and 10.5% stomach respectively. Cyclops, Mysis, Chydorus, Euplypha and Hemisiriella had the least occurrences of 1.5%, 1.5%, 0.75%, 0.75%, and 0.75% respectively suggesting the species to be Carnivorous. This study gives relevant clues on reproductive biology and feeding habits required for artificial propagation of H. odoe.

English

Heavy metal concentrations (lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, chromium and manganese) in selected fish species from Eleyele reservoir Ibadan Oyo State South-Western Nigeria were investigated. A sample each of catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Africa pike&nbsp;(Hepsetus odoe) and tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) from Eleyele lake Ibadan Oyo state were collected from fish farmers at the landing site early in the morning using standard procedure and transported to the laboratory within 30 minutes for laboratory analysis. Heavy metal concentration in the flesh of the fish species and water sample were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. There existed significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in the concentration of heavy&nbsp; metals in fish flesh of various fish species with that of herbivorous fish (Tilapia fish) being the highest followed by omnivorous fish (catfish), followed by piscivorous fish (H. odoe), while that of the water body was the lowest. It was concluded that fish could be considered bio-indicator of environmental contamination within the aquatic ecosystem; it also indicates that fish could be useful in estimating bioavailability of metal to freshwater biota. &nbsp; Key words: Heavy and trace metal,&nbsp;Clarias gariepinus,&nbsp;Hepsetus odoe,&nbsp;Oreochromis niloticus,&nbsp;Eleyele reservoir.

Aspects of the Ecology of the Grass Mat Finfish Community of Kugbo Creek in Niger Delta, Nigeria

A study on the grass-mat finfish community of Kugbo Creek was done in 3 zones of Kugbo Creek for 24 months. Biweekly samples obtained from the zones showed a total of 3192 individual finfish belonging to 26 species and 14 families. Occurrence among zones was 25 species were found in freshwater zone 1, 24 in fresh/brackish water zone 2 and 4 species in brackish water zone 3 respectively. The dominant finfish species was Dormitator pleurops with 451 individuals. The habit host rear species of Nannocharax niloticus, Karibia karibensis, Thysia ansorgii, Marcrousenius thuysi and Mastacablus loennbergi. Juveniles of Calamoichthys calabaricus, Heterotis niloticus, Channa obscura, Polycentropsis abreviata, Heterobranchus longifilis and Mastaceblus loennbergi, were also caught in the habit. This shows that some fish undergo part of their developmental stages in the grass mat habitat, including some with high commercial values. Some species such as Gymnacus niloticus and Hepsetus odoe build their spawning nest in the grass mat where they lay eggs during breeding season. Virtually all other fresh water fish species also visit the habitat either in search of food or shelter at one time or the other as most stomach content compositions are also found in the grass mat habitat, e.g. Papyranocranus afar and Xenomystus nigri, . The habitat sheltered endangered finfish species such as Neolebias powelli, that was caught during sampling. These suggest the importance and sensitive nature of the

PARASITOFAUNA OF FIVE FRESHWATER FISHES IN A NIGERIAN FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM

The parasitic fauna of freshwater fishes of the Warri River, Delta State, Nigeria, with reference to their prevalence, intensity and differences in metazoan parasites between fish sexes, was investigated. A total of 85 fish samples comprising of 21 Tilapia zillii (Cichlidae: Perciformes), 23 Synodontis clarias (Mochokidae: Siluriformes), 23 Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Claroteidae: Siluriformes), 16 Hepsetus odoe (Hepsetidae: Characiformes) and 2 Clarias anguillaris (Clariidae: Siluriformes) collected from the Warri River, Delta State, Nigeria, were subjected to parasitological examination. The overall metazoan parasite prevalence was 32.9%. The metazoan parasites recovered were mainly the acanthocephalans: Neoechinorhynchus prolixum , Pomphorhynchus spp., Acanthocephalus spp. and unidentified acanthocephalan, and nematodes: Camallanus polypteri, Capillaria pterophylli, C. cichlasomae, Procamallanus laeviconchus, Philometroides africanus and Railletnema synodontis. Although the acanthocephalans constituted 75.6% and nematodes 22.2% of the parasites recovered, the nematodes had the highest prevalence (23.5%) compared to the acanthocephalans (9.4%). Similarly, variable prevalences were observed for the other metazoan parasite taxa recovered, namely trematoda; Clinostomum complanatum (1.2%), Leech; Pisciola geometra (2.4%) and Crustaceans (1.2%). The highest parasite prevalence (39.1%) was observed in S. clarias, while the least (23.8%) was observed in T. zillii . Generally, the prevalence of parasites was higher in female (35.7%) than in the males (31.6%), although statistically no significant difference was observed in the prevalence by sex (X 2 = 0.145, P = 0.807). The relatively high overall parasite prevalence in fishes inhabiting the Warri River may be attributed to the relatively high level of pollution.

Food and feeding habits of four selected fish species in Cross River Estuary, Nigeria

The food and feeding habits of four fish species: Citharinus latus, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Hepsetus odoe and Trichiurus lepturus, from the Cross River Estuary, Nigeria were investigated. In studying the diets and feeding habits of the fishes, both the frequency of occurrence and numerical methods were used. Results show that C. latus at both the juvenile and sub adult was phytoplanktonic and planktonic at adult stage. E. fimbriata was omnivorous at the juvenile stage, monophagus (solely phytoplanktonic) at the sub-adult stage and planktonic (99.94% phyto and 0.04% zooplankton) at adult stage. H. odoe was found to be carnivorous at both the juvenile and adult stages but tilted towards omnivory (68.18% phytoplankton, 13.63% zooplankton, 4.54% nemata, 13.63% pisces) at sub adult stage. T. lepturus was carnivorous at all three stages. It fed on 99.99% Nemata at juvenile; 44.44% Nemata, 44.44 Ostracoda and 11.11% pisces at sub adult, and at adult stage 30% Nemata, 65% zooplankton and 5% pisces. The study showed that the food and feeding habits of most fish species vary with the age and stage of development.Keywords: Citharinus latus, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Hepsetus odoe and Trichiurus lepturus, food

English

The nutritional qualities and concentration of trace metals (Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Cd) in six fishes (Hemichromis fasciatus, Siluranodon auritus, Sarotherodon galileaus, Tilapia zilli,Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, and Hepsetus odoe) obtained from Oba reservoir in Ogbomoso, Nigeria were evaluated. The value ranges of 55.95 to 68.80, 16.91 to 26.18, 5.46 to 18.18, 0.51 to 9.05, 7.67 to 10.14 and 0.97 to 1.41% were obtained for moisture, protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash and fibre contents, respectively. Highest protein and fat contents were obtained from H. odoe. The trace metals in fishes were found at various concentrations (P≤0.05). High levels of essential metals; Fe, Cu and Zn, were found in the fishes. The concentrations of Pb and Cd were also high in the fishes, but not detected in the water sample from the reservoir. A positive correlation was observed between fat and fibre (P≤0.01) as well as Zn and Pb (P≤0.05) while fat and iron were negatively correlated. The results show that the fishes evaluated are rich in essential nutrients. However, prior exposure of the fishes to pollutants was not unlikely as shown by Pb and Cd levels. There is the need to initiate further study to identify sources of these pollutants and their effects on biota from Oba reservoir. Key words: Fish, nutrient, environment, pollutant, reservoir.

A revision of the Lower Guinean Hepsetus species (Characiformes; Hepsetidae) with the description of Hepsetus kingsleyae sp. nov

An α-taxonomic revision of the African pike, Hepsetus odoe, from Lower Guinea is provided. The results show that three different species occur in Lower Guinea instead of one. Hepsetus akawo, recently described from West Africa, is present in the northern part of Lower Guinea; Hepsetus lineata, the most widespread species within Lower Guinea, is known from the Sanaga (Cameroon) in the north to the Shiloango (Democratic Republic of the Congo) in the south and Hepsetus kingsleyae sp. nov. is endemic to the Ogowe Basin. The new species H. kingsleyae is described and H. lineata, which is elevated here to the species level, is redescribed. Hepsetus lineata can easily be recognized by its prominent horizontal line pattern on the flanks and differs further from H. akawo and H. kingsleyae in the number of lateral-line scales and the number of gill rakers. Hepsetus kingsleyae differs from H. lineata and H. akawo by its narrow head, elongated snout and narrow, knife-shaped body. All three species are also distinguishable from H. odoe and the recently revalidated H. cuvieri. A few exceptional specimens could not be allocated to one of the three species and may represent hybrids because of their mixed diagnostic characters or their intermediate values.

Studies on Organochlorine Pesticide Residue in Fishes from the Densu River Basin, Ghana

The study was carried out to determine the levels of organochlorine pesticide residue in five fish species Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Hepsetus odoe, Tilapia zilli, Heterotis niloticus and Oreochromis niloticus from the Densu river basin (Weija) in Ghana. The fishes sampled from the Weija fish landing site were selected on the basis of their importance to local human fish consumption. The detectable organochlorine pesticides were γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), δ-Hexachlorocyclohexane, aldrin and dieldrin. Others investigated were alpha endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, p,p'-DDT and its metabolite p,p'-DDE, endrin and its metabolite endrin aldehyde and endrin ketone. The total contamination levels of the individual fishes varied in the decreasing order of 9.19 ng g(-1) (O. niloticus), 4.16 ng g(-1) (T. zilli), 3.69 ng g(-1) (C. nigrodigitatus), 3.68 ng g(-1) (H. odoe) and 3.09 ng g(-1) (H. niloticus). The highest organochlorine pesticide residue recorded in the study was alpha-endosulfan while dieldrin was the least pesticide observed. Analysis of variance indicated significant statistical differences for most organochlorine pesticide residues in the samples. The levels of organochlorine pesticides found in fish samples in the study were below maximum residue limit for food safety stipulated by EU, US FDA, FAO, Italy and Australia and thus safe for human consumption.

Studies on Age and Growth of African Pike Hepsetus odoe in Ado Ekiti Reservoir

Age and growth pattern of African pike Hepsetus odoe from Ado-Ekiti Reservoir, Nigeria, were studied from May 2002 - May 2005. Samples were collected from the landing centres of fishermen in the reservoir. Age and growth were determined from length frequency distribution using Pauly's Integrated Method. Regression coefficient (3.61) showed positive allometric growth of the species. Condition factor significantly correlated with fish weight (P ≤ 0.05, r = 0.60) and varied with season. Four distinct modes indicating the presence of four year classes at length 17.0cm, 21.8cm, 24.9cm and 27.3cm corresponding to age 0 + , 1 + , 2 + sand 3 + respectively were observed. The asymptotic length (L ) was 35.30cm with growth coefficient of 0.36 per year.

Length-weight relationship, condition factor and fecundity of the African PikeHepsetus odoe(Bloch, 1974) in Eleiyele Reservoir, Ibadan, south-west Nigeria

Some aspects of growth and reproductive biology of Hepsetus odoe, a commercial fish species from Lake Eleiyele, were investigated from October 2010 to April 2011 to enhance effective management and sustainable exploitation. The pattern of growth was determined from the length-weight relationship (LWR) and the condition factor (K). The reproductive features studied included fecundity, the gonadosomatic index (I G) and egg diameter. A significant relationship was found to exist (p < 0.05) between the body weight and the total length (L T) of fish. The exponential parameter b of LWR was 1.88. The mean K was 0.77 and the minimum mean K value (0.28) was recorded in the largest specimens. A significant difference in the condition factor was recorded between sexes and between size groups (p < 0.05). Fecundity ranged between 556 (for specimens with L T 22.9 cm; total weight (W T) 97.7g) and 2350 (for specimens with L T 36.9 cm; W T 266.9 g) eggs with the mean of 1469 eggs. The overall mean I G was 1.12% with fema...

A revision of the West African Hepsetus (Characiformes: Hepsetidae) with a description of Hepsetus akawo sp. nov. and a redescription of Hepsetus odoe (Bloch, 1794)

Within the genus Hepsetus, a new species from the eastern part of West Africa is described. Hepsetus akawo sp. nov. is mainly distinguished from Hepsetus odoe by a smaller number of lateral line scales [43–51 vs 50–60 (exceptionally 49)] and a shallower head depth [38.0–45.6 (mean 42.0) % head length vs 41.4–49.0 (44.6) % head length] (positively allometric). Hepsetus akawo sp. nov. differs mainly from the recently rehabilitated Hepsetus cuvieri by: a higher number of gill rakers (17–23 vs 8–13); and a lower number of scales between the dorsal fin and the lateral line (7½–9½ vs 10½–11½). Within West Africa, the distribution area of the new species is restricted to the Sassandra River (Ivory Coast) in the west up to the Cross River (Cameroon) in the east. The species is entirely allopatric with H. odoe, which has a far more restricted distribution than previously thought and occurs from the Senegal River (Senegal) in the west to the Cavally River (Ivory Coast) in the east.

Parasites of landed fish from Great Kwa River, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Parasites of landed fish from the Great Kwa River, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria were studied. Parasitological examination of 180 fish samples belonging to 9 taxa from the River showed 50% incidence for Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus, 16.67% for Heterotis noloticus, Clarias gariepinus and Tilapia galileaus respectively and 0% for Hepsetus odoe, Arius gigas, Momyrus rume, Ethmalosa fimbriata and Cynoglossus senegalensis. Parasite infestations were found in the stomach and intestine, and no parasites were found on the fins, skin and gills. Nematodes, cestodes and protozoan were found in decreasing order of abundance. Diphyllobothrium sp. was found in the intestine of C. nigrodigitatus; Camallanussp. was found in the intestine of H. niloticus and T. galileaus while protozoan cysts were found in the intestine of C. garipinus. Parasites were more prevalent in the fish of 30 to 39.9 cm total length size range. The study determined that in the Great Kwa River the preferred organs of parasites were the intestines and stomach. Key words: Parasites, landed fish, Great Kwa River.

Field observations of fish species susceptible to epizootic ulcerative syndrome in the Zambezi River basin in Sesheke District of Zambia

A field investigation was conducted in the Sesheke District of Zambia along the Zambezi River to determine the fish species susceptible to epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS), a newly confirmed disease in Southern Africa. A total of 2,132 fishes were inspected for gross EUS-like lesions, of which 188 (8.82%; 95% CI=7.67-10.1%) were found with typical characteristic lesions of EUS. Of these 188 samples, 156 were found to have mycotic granulomas on histopathological analysis, representing 83.0% (95% CI=76.7-87.9%) of the initially identified in the laboratory through gross examination. The following 16 species of fish were examined and found with EUS lesions; Clarias ngamensis, Clarias gariepinus, Barbus poechii, Tilapia sparrmanii, Serranochromis angusticeps, Brycinus lateralis, Micralestes acutidens, Sargochromis carlottae, Hydrocynus vittatus, Phryngochromis acuticeps, Schilbe intermedius, Hepsetus odoe, Labeo lunatus, Oreochromis andersonii, Barbus unitaeniatus, and Barbus paludinosus. T. sparrmanii did not show any lesions, while the Clarias species were found to be the most afflicted with EUS. These results could be useful to fish farmers and organizations interested in improving aquaculture in the area.

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Total Halogen and Extractable Organohalogen in Fish Samples from the Densu Basin

ABSTRACTInstrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) has been validated and the method applied to determine total halogen and extractable organohalogen in six fish species namely Heterotis niloticus, Channa obscura, Hepsetus odoe, Tilapia zilli, Clarias gariepinus, and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus. The samples were collected directly from the fishermen at their landing sites from the two sampling towns, Weija and Nsawam along the Densu river basin in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The concentrations of total chlorine, bromine, and iodine analysed by INAA were between 770.70 - 1123.50 mg/kg, 8.00 - 25.00 mg/kg and 0.70 - 4.20 mg/kg respectively. For the extractable organohalogens concentrations ranged from 0.30 – 350.40 mg/kg. The highest concentration of 350.40 mg/kg was obtained for extractable organochlorine (EOCl) in Hepsetus odoe sampled from Nsawam, while the lowest concentration was obtained for extractable organoiodine. The content of extractable organohalogen were in the order of EOCl>> EOBr > EOI. Key words: Neutron activation, Organohalogen, Fish species, Densu basin, Extractable.

Trophic structure and interactions in Lake Ayamé (Côte d’Ivoire)

The Ecopath software with Ecosim and Ecospace was used to describe structure and trophic relationships in Lake Ayame. The total biomass of fish is 8 t.km–2 . The trophic levels assessment revealed that the highest value (3.83) was observed in Hepsetus odoe . The mean trophic level of catch (2.94) indicates that fisheries are targeting mainly the fish groups of high trophic levels. Resources are not exploited properly. Competition between species occurs for Sarotherodon melanotheron and Oreochromis niloticus for the first group and Chrysichthys spp. and Heterotis niloticus for the second group. Transfer efficiency is high from producers.

Lamproglena hepseti n. sp. (Copepoda: Lernaeidae), a gill parasite of the African pike Hepsetus odoe (Bloch) from the Okavango River and Delta, Botswana

During surveys of the biodiversity of fish parasites in the Okavango River and Delta, Botswana, specimens of Lamproglena von Nordmann, 1832 were found associated with the African pike Hepsetus odoe (Bloch). This Lamproglena species distinctly differs from all known species based on morphological features, in particular the cephalothorax and the maxilliped; it is described as L. hepseti n. sp. and is specific to its host, the African pike.

A preliminary investigation into the fisheries potentials of Doma Lake, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

A preliminary investigation into the fisheries potentials of Doma Lake in Nasarawa State, Nigeria was carried out from July to December 2000. Values of physico-chemical parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity and free carbon dioxide) did not vary significantly (P > 0.05) between the sampling months. A total of 8 families made up of 11 genera and 16 species of fish were recorded in the lake. The family Cichlidae (67.56%) dominated while the family Hepsetidae was the least (0.45%). Length-weight regression analysis showed that six species of fish (Gnathonemus niger, Channa obscura, Hepsetus odoe, Oreochromis niloticus, Tilapia monodi and Tilapia zilli) exhibited positive allometric growth. Barilius niloticus showed negative allometric growth while Hemichromis bimaculatus showed isometric growth pattern. The mean standard length and weights of most of the species of fish correlated strongly except that of Barilius niloticus, which correlated weakly. The condition factor (K) showed that the smaller sized fishes thrived better in the lake. There were more male than female fish in the lake. Gnathonemus niger exhibited the highest fecundity while the lowest fecundity was observed in Hemichromis fasciatus and Tilapia zilli. The implications of the findings are discussed. Key Words: Fisheries potentials, Doma Lake, Nigeria Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.19(2) 2004: 59-64

Philometroides africanus sp. n. (Nematoda: Philometridae), a new tissue parasite of the African pike Hepsetus odoe (Pisces) in Botswana.

A new species of philometrid nematode, Philometroides africanus sp. n., is described from female specimens found encapsulated in gill arches and inner surface of gill covers of the African pike, Hepsetus odoe (Bloch), an endemic freshwater fish in Africa, from the Okavango River and Delta in Botswana. This new nematode is characterised mainly by a markedly small and plump body of gravid females (body length 6-9 mm), a separate anterior oesophageal bulb, a conspicuously small oesophageal gland, presence of four pairs of very small submedian cephalic papillae, and absence of any caudal processes. The prevalence of P. africanus in African pike of the Okavango Delta was 29%, with the intensity 1-8 (mean 3) encapsulated nematodes per fish. The genus Margolisianum Blaylock et Overstreet, 1999 is considered a junior synonym of Philometroides Yamaguti, 1935 and, consequently, its type species is transferred to the latter as Philometroides bulbosus (Blaylock et Overstreet, 1999) comb. n.

Ecology and fish catches in natural lakes of Benin, West Africa

A preliminary study of the ecology and commercial fish catches was carried out in the Toho-Todougba, Ahouangan and Dati lakes (1500 ha) in southern Benin (West Africa) over a period of 18 consecutive months. Water quality, species richness, and the reproductive biology of the dominant species, Sarotherodon galilaeus, were examined. Unlike Lagoon Toho-Todougba, lakes Ahouangan and Dati are less favourable for fish production because of their high total iron content and their relative low pH. The study revealed the existence of 19 species belonging to eleven (11) families: 16 species in Lagoon Toho-Todougba,12 in Lake Ahouangan, and 7 in Lake Dati. Lakes Ahouangan and Dati had a relatively high faunal similarity whereas Lagoon Toho-Todougba exhibited a relatively low faunal similarity with the former systems. In Lagoon Toho-Todougba, six cichlid species were the most important component of the fishery: Sarotherodon galilaeus, Tilapia guineensis, T. zillii, T. mariae, Chromidotilapia guntheri, Hemichromis fasciatus. Three catfish species Chrysichthys auratus, Clarias agboyiensis, and Clarias lazera were harvested in low abundances. Some other fish, such as Polypterus senegalus senegalus, Protopterus annectens and Heterotis niloticus were captured sporadically, with H. niloticus appearing more consistently in catches than the others. Although not abundant, Gymnarchus niloticus and the African pike, Hepsetus odoe, were almost always present in the catches. Ctenopoma kingsleyae appeared only in Ahouangan. Some predatory species, such as Notopterus afer and Xenomystus nigri, are encountered only in lakes Ahouangan and Dati. In Lagoon Toho-Todougba, Sarotherodon galilaeus had a sex ratio (♂: ♀) of 0.49:1, and size at maturation was estimated as 12.3 cm TL. The spawning period extended from May to September with the peak occurring in July. Fecundity was correlated to log-body length (r = 0.74) and log-body weight (r = 0.76). Fish catches were estimated at 389 kg ha−1 year−1; about 73% of which was Sarotherodon galilaeus. The overexploitation of juvenile fish and the use of this lagoon for the irrigation of palm tree plantations have reduced fish recruitment and mean size.