LENGTH-WEIGHT, INTESTINAL (GUT) / BODY-LENGTH RELATIONSHIP OF SOME FRESHWATER FISH (Tilapia mariae, Chromidotilapia guentheri, Oreochromis niloticus and Hemichromis fasciatus) FROM RIVER OROGODO, AGBOR DELTA STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT

Length-weight relationship, intestine length/ body-length -relationship and condition factor have several applications in fish biology, physiology, ecology and fisheries assessment. A six-month study was conducted from May 2019 to October 2019 to determine the length-weight relationship, intestine-body length relationship and condition factor of four major Cichlids from Orogodo River. Thirty-nine specimens belonging to four species namely Tilapia mariae, Chromidotilapia guentheri Oreochromis niloticus, Hemichromis fasciatus were caught. Samples were collected once every month with gillnets from a commercial fisherwoman. The length-weight relationship had a strong positive correlation (r>0.8) for the four species. Tilapia mariae exhibited negative allometric growth (b=1.52), Chromidotilapia guentheri showed negative allometric (b=1.29) Oreochromis niloticus showed positive allometric (b=3.01), Hemichromis fasciatus showed negative allometric (b=1.60). The ratios of the intestine length to standard body length measured in centimeter were computed. The mean ratios Tilapia mariae (1.4), Chromidotilapia guentheri (3.6), Oreochromis niloticus (3.7) portrayed herbivorous adaptation while the ratio of Hemichromis fasciatus showed (1.2) indicating carnivorous adaptation. Mean condition factor (K) values were greater than one (1.40-2.28) for all the species and varied monthly.