A Study of Length-Weight, Relationship and Condition Factor of Bagrus Bayad in Kiri Reservoir Shelleng Local Government Area Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The Bagrid fishes are commonly known as naked catfishes, they are commercially important species found in Nigeria fresh waters especially in Rivers and Lakes such as Niger, Kaduna, Benue, Lake Chad, and other inland waters. The study is aimed at investigating the length- weight, relationship and condition factor of Bagrus bayad. A total of 282 individuals of B. bayad were randomly sampled for a period of 6 months. B. bayad sample collected were dissected. All the data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Descriptive statistic, regression analysis, graph (bar chart) mean and standard deviation were used in calculating the data for analysis. Result from the data analysis showed the slope (b) value for male = 1.996 which is less than 3.0, hence the male fish shows a negative allometric growth pattern. While that of the female showed that the b value was 3.2971 which is positive allometric growth pattern and the combined sexes analysis shows that b = 2.330, which indicated a negative allometric growth pattern. The condition factors showed that the Male has K = 2.893, Female has K = 3.122 and the Combined Sexes Condition factor is K = 3.002. B. bayad exhibited both negative and positive allometric growth pattern with a strong positive correlation between the total length and weight of the species and also the species are in good physiological condition in the Reservoir.