LENGTH-LENGTH AND LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP OF AFRICAN BONYTONGUE Heterotis niloticus (CUVIER, 1829) FROM SABIYAL LAKE

Abstract

The sustainable exploitation of freshwater fish species of commercial value is inevitable for fisheries to continuously play its role in the social and economic growth of Nigeria. The Length-length relationship (LLR) and Length-weight relationship (LWR) of Heterotis niloticus were investigated to determine the growth pattern of the species. Fish samples were collected from fishermen landing site for six months. Morphometric indices such as Total length, Standard length and Body weight were determined using standard methods. A total of 35 fishes comprising 15 female and 20 male of H. niloticus were collected. The growth coefficient b was 4.220 and 4.398 for female and male, respectively, which indicates positive allometric growth pattern for the two- sexes investigated. This study concluded that Sabiyal Lake is favorable to good growth of thes species.