Abstract

An estimation of the size composition and condition factor of Ophiocara porocephala from Amassoma flood plains, Niger Delta, Nigeria was carried out for a period of six months (April-June 2010 and November, 2011- January, 2012) to assess aspects of the fishery status. The flood plain of Amassoma is one of the low lands in Niger Delta providing nursery and breeding grounds for variety of both finfish and shell fish species. Fish plays on important role in the development of a nation. Apart from being a cheap source of highly nutritive protein, it also contains other essential nutrients required by the body. Therefore the study of condition factor and size composition of Ophiocara porocephala from Amassoma flood plains will provide information on the amount of stock available for the fishery, evaluation of production, information for stock sizes, an important information for the evaluation of mortalities and status of the fish population, estimating the average weight at a given length group and an index of growth and feeding intensity. Length measurement values ranged from 8.2-15.3 cm; while width, weight and condition factor measurement values ranged from 1.2-2.5 cm, 3.98 g–40.35 g and 0.29-1.78. The highest length frequency (26) was estimated for values ranging from 11.5-12.5 with class mark 12.0 mm. The lowest length frequency (1) was estimated for length range 14.8-15.8 mm with class mark 15.3 mm. The highest width frequency (27) was estimated for values ranging 1.8-1.9 mm with class mark 1.85 mm. The lowest width frequency (2) was estimated for values ranging from 2.2-2.4 and 2.5 -2.6 mm with class marks 2.45 and 2.65 mm, respectively. The highest weight frequency (31) was estimated for values ranging from 10.0-14.9 g with class mark 12.45 g. The lowest weight frequency (2) was estimated for values ranging 6. 0-10.9 g with class mark 8.45 g. The highest condition factor frequency (49) was estimated for values ranging from 0.9-1.1 with class mark 1.0. The lowest condition factor frequency (4) was estimated for values ranging from 0.3-0.5 with class mark 0.4. From a sample size of 81 specimens, K value was 0.999 and the exponential equation was $Wt = = 0.05998 (TL)^{2 719}$, indicating an isometric growth pattern. There was no temporal variation in the condition of the fish with condition index value 0.99- 1.00 and condition factor value of 0.999 is an indication of the fish species poor condition.

Keywords:

Amassoma flood plains, condition factor, Niger delta, Nigeria, ophiocara porocephala, size composition,

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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