IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND GENETIC RESEARCH (JBGR )

E-ISSN 2545-5710
P-ISSN 2695-222X
VOL. 10 NO. 2 2024
DOI: 10.56201/jbgr.v10.no2.2024.pg38.48

---

Length-Weight Relationships and Condition Factors of Selected Synodontis Species from the Lower Benue River, Makurdi, Nigeria

Iorchor,S.I, Deekae, S.N, Amachree, D and Otene, B.B

---

Abstract

Length-weight relationships (LWRs) and conditions factors of selected Synodontis species from the Lower Benue River, Makurdi, Nigeria was studied from January -December 2023. A total of one thousand, one hundred and three (1,103) individuals from three species S. membranaceus, S. courteti and S. batensoda were obtained monthly from four sampling locations with the help of fishers.. The length and weight measurements were taken using a measuring board and an electronic balance respectively to determine Fulton's growth patterns and condition factors. The length ranged between 5 and 42.5cm (S.batensoda), 5-47 and 510cm(S.courteti) and 10 and 65.4cm (S. membranaceus). The weight ranged from 70 to 489g (S.batensoda), 98 to 776g (S.courteti) and 150-1500g (S. membranaceus). The growth coefficient (K) were respectively 1.902 ± 0.0388, 2.100±0.065 and 2.235 ±0.051 for S. batensoda, S. courteti and S.membranaceus showing that all the fish species exhibited negative allometry since the values were less than 3 (<3) such that the growth favours length against the weight. The coefficient of determination/regression (r2) showed strong and positive correlation with S. batensoda but weak correlation with both S. membranaceus and S. courteti. These findings suggest that conservation measures need to be taken to improve the fish health and physiological condition in the area.

keywords:

Length-Weight Relationship

---

References:

Abowei, J. F. (2010). The condition factor, length-weight relationship and abundance of Illisha
africana (Bloch, 1795) from Nkoro River Niger Delta, Nigeria. Advances in Life
Sciences, 2(1), 1-9.

Abowei, J. F., & Hart, A. I. (2009). Some morphometric parameters of ten fin fish species from
the lower Nun River, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Research Journal of Biological Sciences,
4(3), 282-288.

Abubakar, M. M., & Edward, J. B. (2002). Length-weight relationship and condition factor of
Some fish species in the Benue River, Nigeria. Animal Research International, 4(3),
701-709.

Adeyemi, S. O. (2010). Length-weight relationship and condition factor of Synodontis
robbianus (Siluriformes: Mochokidae) in Idah area of the River Niger, Nigeria.
International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 2(7), 211-215.

Adetunji, O. J., & Okwu, D. E. (2018). Agricultural development in Buruku: Challenges and
prospects. Journal of Agricultural Science, 10(3), 112-120

Akombo, P. M., Akange, E. T., Adikwu, I. A., & Araoye, P. A. (2011). Length-weight relationship
and condition factor of Synodontis spp. in Benue River, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
International Journal of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 3(7), 146-150.

Akombo, P. M., Akange, E. T., Adikwu, I. A., & Araoye, P. A. (2014). Length-weight relationship
and condition factor of six fish species in Benue River, Nigeria. International Journal
of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 6(3), 42-47.

Asuquo, F. E., Ogri, O. R., & Udofia, U. I. (2015). Length-Weight Relationships and Condition
Factor of Some Commercial Fish Species in Qua Iboe River Estuary, Akwa Ibom State,
Southeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Aquaculture, 5(1).

Ayuba, V. O. (1997). Length-weight relationship and condition factor of some fish species in
the Lower Benue River, Nigeria. Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 12(1), 25-27.

Bagenal, T. B., & Tesch, F. W. (1978). Age and growth. In T. Bagenal (Ed.), Methods for
assessment of fish production in fresh waters (3rd ed., pp. 101-136). Blackwell
Scientific Publications.

Baijot, E., Moreau, J., & Bouda, S. (1997). Hydrobiology and Aquaculture of Reservoirs in the
Sahel Region. Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA).

Bashir, A.R., Aziz, S.A., Eshak, M.G., & Abdalla, A.E. (1993). Length-weight relationship of
some Nile fish species. Bulletin of the National Institute of Oceanography and
Fisheries, 19, 323-336.

Bolger, T., & Connolly, P. L. (1989). The selection of suitable indices for the measurement and
analysis of fish condition. Journal of Fish Biology, 34(2), 171-182.

Edah, B., Akintola, S. L., & Uku, J. (2010). Length-weight relationship, condition factor and
sexual maturity of the West African ilisha, Ilisha africana (Bloch, 1795) in Lagos
Lagoon, Nigeria. Journal of American Science, 6(3), 1-8.

Falaye, A.E., Ajani, E.K., Omitoyin, B.O., & Saba, A.A. (2015). Assessment of fish stock in Epe
Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, 10(6), 482-492.

Froese, R. (2006). Cube law, condition factor and weight–length relationships: history, meta-
analysis and recommendations. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 22(4), 241-253.

Guarriello, N., Nannini, M., & Goffredo, S. (2015). Length-weight relationships for three fish
species in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 31(3), 569-570.

Idodo-Umeh, G. (2003). Freshwater fishes of Nigeria: Taxonomy, ecological notes, diets and
utilization. Idodo Umeh Publishers.

Igwela, J. N. B., Eyo, V. O., & Ekwu, A. O. (2011). Length-weight relationships and condition
factors of five fish species in the Lower Benue River, Nigeria. International Journal of
Fisheries and Aquaculture, 3(3), 68-72.

Kumolu-Johnson, C. A., & Ndimele, P. E. (2010). Length-weight relationships and condition
factors of twenty-one fish species in Ologe Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria. Asian Journal of
Agricultural Sciences, 2(4), 174-179.

Lalèyè, P., Philippart, J. C., Rendered, G., & Teugels, G. G. (2006). Morphometric and meristic
variables of the African catfish Synodontis spp. (Siluriformes, Mochokidae) from the
Ouémé River, Bénin. Belg. J. Zool, 136(2), 191-198.

Midhat, A., Hassan, A., & Ahmed, M. (2012). Length-weight relationship and condition factor
of Synodontis schall (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) in the River Nile, Gizza Sector, Egypt.
International Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 3, 95-100.

Mokogwu, J., & Ofoezie, I. (2013). Length-weight relationship and condition factor of Synodontis
species in the Niger River, Nigeria. World Journal of Zoology, 8(4), 365-370.

Moslen, M., & Miebaka, C.A. (2017). Length-weight relationship and condition factor of five
fish species from a brackish estuarine environment in the Niger Delta, Nigeria.
International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 5(5), 273-277.

NEDECO (Netherlands Engineering Consultants). (1959). The Niger River. Report on the
Niger and Benue Rivers and the programmed development of the Niger River Basin.
North- Holland Publishing Company.

Nwankwo, E.I., & Nnaji, C.C. (2012). Length-weight relationships and condition factors of
Synodontis species in the Abakaliki River, Nigeria. Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 27(1), 31-

Nwosu, J., et al. (2016). Agricultural practices in Abinsi: A study of the Gwer local government
area of Benue State. International Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 6(1), 34-40.

Offem, B. O., Akegbejo-Samsons, Y., & Omoniyi, I. T. (2013). Dynamics in the reproductive
biology of Heterobranchus longifilis Val. (Pisces: Clariidae) in the Cross River, Nigeria.
Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, 8(1), 171-180.

Ogamba, E. N., Ebere, N., & Abubakar, K. A. (2014). Length-weight relationship, condition
factor and reproductive seasonality of the silver catfish, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from
the Odi River, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science,
7(1), 29-34.

Ogunye, O., & Akintola, S. (2015). Length-weight relationships and condition factors of
Synodontis species in Ologe Lagoon, Nigeria. International Journal of Fisheries and
Aquaculture, 7(4), 75-81.

Olaosebikan, B. D., & Raji, A. (1998). Field guide to Nigerian freshwater fishes. Federal
College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology.

Reid, G. M., & Sydenham, H. D. J. (1979). A checklist of lower Benue River fishes and an
Ichthyogeographical Review of the Benue River (West Africa). Journal of Natural History,
13(1), 41-67.

Seiyabo, A.O., Olalekan, E.I., & Omotayo, A.A. (2016). Fish as a source of animal protein in
Nigeria. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 4(4), 471-475.

Ogunye, O., & Akintola, S. (2015). Length-weight relationships and condition factors of
Synodontis species in Ologe Lagoon, Nigeria. International Journal of Fisheries and
Aquaculture, 7(4), 75-81.

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back