Length-Weight Relationship And Condition Factor Of Distichodus Species Of Anambra River

Abstract

The length-weight relationships (LWRs) and condition factor of Distichodus 169 Distichodus rostratus, 167 D. brevipnnis and 163 D. engycephalus from Anambra river were investigated from November 2004 to October 2005. LWRs showed that the b-values for the combined sexes were 3.051, 3.114 and 3.040 for D. rostratus, D. brevipinnis and D. engycephalus respectively. Thus, all the Dstichodus species exhibited isometric growth with high, positive and significant correlations. The mean condition factor for the combined sexes was 1.12+-048, 1.06 +- 022 and 0.94+- 0.33 for D. Rostratus, D. brevipinnis and D. engycephalus respectively. Except for D brevipinnis, there was no significant difference (P > 005) in the condition facor (K) between the males and females of other species The condition factor also demonstrated interseasonal variability in all the species. The importance of condition factor in the breeding activities o Distichodus species is discussed.

Keywords: Distichodus, Length-weight relationships, Condition factor

Animal Research International Vol. 3 (2) 2006 pp. 461-465