Growth pattern, condition factor and Proximate composition of Synodontis membernaceus from River Kaduna flood plains Nigeria.

Abstract

Growth pattern involving evaluation of length-weight relationship (LWR), condition factor (K) and seasonal proximate composition of Synodontismembernaceus from River Kaduna flooded plains were investigated. A total of 123 fish (58 males and 65 females) were collected bi-weekly from fishermen from April - October 20011 using cast net and gill nets of 50 - 55mm mesh sizes. The specimens had mean standard length of 17.6 ±1.71cm, total length of 20.0 – 27.5 cm, body weight of 90.0-199.7g. The growth pattern analysis depict a strong significant correlation between the Length and weight of the Synodontismembernaceusand the growth exponent “b” indicates a negative allometric growth with a (K) value index above 1. Proximate analysis result showed that the lipid and moisture contents were inversely proportional in the body of the fish while other nutrients in the body of the fish do not fluctuate significantly over time.