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Population growth of three freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium spp.) in Lower Ogun River, Southwest Nigeria


A.S Yakubu

Abstract

Growth parameters of the populations of three freshwater prawns: Macrobrachium vollenhovenii, M. macrobrachion and M. felicinum in the Lower Ogun River were determined. For each population, lengthfrequency data for twenty-four month period (January 2006-December 2007) were analysed to determine the growth parameters, using routines in FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tools (FISAT II). Estimates from FISAT indicated steady growth of the three populations. M. vollenhovenii had mean maximum length (Lmax), asymptotic length (L∞), performance index (ø’) and growth coefficient (K) of 187.00 mm ± 5.66, 215.10 mm ± 16.27, 3.98 ± 0.04 and 0.2 ± 0.04 respectively. Mean values for Lmax, L∞, ø’ and K for M. macrobrachion were 86.00 mm ± 1.00, 100.26 mm ± 12.20, 0.59 ± 0.16 and 3.76 ± 0.01 respectively, while 76.45 ± 3.25, 69.00 mm ± 1.00, 1.33 ± 0.67 and 3.87 ± 0.19 were the respective mean values of the growth parameters for M. felicinum. The suitability of the Macrobrachium species for aquaculture based on the estimated growth parameters is discussed.

Keywords: Lower Ogun River, Asymptotic length, Maximum length, Growth performance index, Growth coefficient


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eISSN: 1997-342X
print ISSN: 1991-8631