Morphometrics of Selected Fish Species from Tagwai Lake , Minna , Niger State , Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to elucidate the morphometrics of three fish species namely, Tilapia galilaea, Tilapia aurea and Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Tagwai Lake, Minna, using standard procedures. A Total of 360 specimens of the fishes were analyzed. The results indicated the following ranges for parameters investigated: Body Girth (BG) (3.78±0.76 to 5.48±0.84cm), and Total Gut weight (TGW) (2.10±0.84 to 3.12±1.73g); values that did not vary significantly (P>0.05) among the fish species. On the other hand, standard length (SL) (range = 10 .94±1.34 to 20.46±2. 98cm), Gut Length (GL) (range = 25.92± 6.67 to 139.77±30.56cm) and Total Body Weight (TBW) (range = 49 .99±18.34 to 175.31± 66.96) varied significantly (P<0.05). Cross correlation amongst certain morphometric variables, i.e., Standard Length and Total Body Weight, Body Girth and Total Body weight, Total Gut Weight and Standard Length were strong (r≥0.7), while Standard Length and Gut Content Weight, Gut Length and Standard Length, Gut Content Weight and Standard Length were weakly correlated (r<0.7). This findings no doubt support close evolutionary ties among the species, and should provide baseline information for sustainable exploitation of the fish species.