Estimation of Dietary Composition and Fecundity of African Carp, <i>Labeo Coubie</i>, Cross River, Nigeria

Abstract

Dietary composition and aspect of reproductive biology (fecundity and sex ratio) of African carp was investigated for 12 months. Specimens were collected from artisenal fishermen, measured for Length (cm) and weight (g), examined for genital papilla in the male and the stomach removed for food analysis. The main food categories were crustaceans, rotifers, insects, worms, plant parts and mud. The index of relative importance (IRI) values indicated that 13 out of the 21 food items were major diet components. The prominence of detritus in the diet indicated that L. coubie is a bottom feeder and is euryphagus. Fifty eight (58) 28.6% out of the 205 females had matured gonads. Absolute fecundity ranged from 679 to 15073 eggs. The relative fecundity ranged from 40 to 793eggs/Length (cm) and 64 to 286 eggs/weight (g). Spawning was between the months of May through August. The Length – Weight yielded significant results for female than male indicating that, females were in better condition than the males. The overall sex ratio of L. coubie was 1:1.67 in favour of females. The wide food range and high fecundity made L. coubie suitable for pond culture. @ JASEM

J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. December, 2010, Vol. 14 (4) 19 - 24