The Length Weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Four Mormyrid Species, Namely; Petrocephalus Simus, Mormyrus Rume, Campylomormyrus Tamandua and Mormyrops Deliciousus in Oguta Lake

Abstract

The length-weight relationship and condition factor of four mormyrid species namely Petrocephalus simus, Mormyrus rume, Campylomormyrus tamandua and Mormyrops deliciousus, in Oguta Lake were investigated from October 2023 to August 2024. Length-weigh relationship showed that the exponent “b’’ were 2.09 for P. simus, 1.6.for M. rume, 2.12 for C. tamandua and 1.75 for M. deliciousus respectively. The mormyrid species studied with exception of M. rume exhibited isometric growth and the correlation coefficients were positive and highly significant (P < 0.05). The condition factor (k) shows that all the specimen was greater than one, which implies that all the fishes were in good physiological state of well-being. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the mean condition factor between the males and females in all the mormyrid species. The importance of condition factor in the breeding activities of the mormyrid species revealed that not much energy is diverted into gonad synthesis and maturation during the breeding cycle season. The study recommends other studies on other aspect of the biology of these species to provide the needed ecological information for the effective exploitation and conservation of the species in the water body. Length-weight relationship was calculated thus: W = aLb. Since the body weight increased more rapidly than total length, the formula was logarithmically transformed for the purpose of data analysis. The condition factors of all fish species sampled fall outside the range recommended as suitable for matured fresh water fish species in the tropics.