Morphometrics, Condition Factor and Organo-somatic Index of Hydrocynus forkalli, Coptodon zillii and Alestes haremose in Yuna Landing Site, Kainji Lake, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

A six-month study was conducted on the morphometrics, condition factors, organo-somatic indices and length-weight relationship of Hydrocynus forkalli, Coptodon zillii and Alestes haremose fromYuna landing site. Thirty (30) samples of each species collected monthly from artisanal fishermen were assessed on length, weight and organo-somatic indices. All organo-somatic parameters of H. forkalli correlated positively except for the pOL and TL. The correlation was higher (1.00), between PAL and SL and lower between ED and BW (r=0.10. Correlation in C. zillii was higher between SL and TL (r= 0.93) and lower (r=0.19) between pOL and pPVL (r=0.19. All morphometrics of A. horemose correlated positively. It was higher between SL and TL, (r=0.99), and lowest between ED and pOL (r=0.68). The growth exponent “b” was negative allometric for H. forkalli (b=2.84) and C. zillii (b= 2.99) while it was positive allometric for A. horemose (b= 3.54). The mean condition factors (K) for H. forkalli, A. horemose and C. zillii were 1.04±0.31, 1.41±0.27 and 4.16±0.47 respectively. The gonado-somatic index (GSI) of H. forkalli, C. zillii and A. horemose were 5.92±8.11, 0.54±0.80 and 1.02±0.82 respectively. While hepato-somatic indices of A. horemose, C. zillii and H. forkalli were 2.00±1.33, 1.24±0.69 and 1.03±0.74 respectively. Cardio somatic indices recorded for H. forkalli was 13±0.06, C. zillii had 13±0.04 while A. horemose was observed to have 15±0.08. The condition factors showed robustness and wellbeing. Correlations between length-weight of the species were strong. The organo- somatic indices showed good health