Length-weight relationship of Hepsetus odoe in Lapai-Agaie Reservoir, Niger State, Nigeria

Study on the Length - Weight Relationship (LWR) of Hepsetus odoe in Lapai - Agaie Reservior, Niger State, Nigeria was carried out between April 2016 and August 2016. One hundred and twenty samples, which comprised of 70 males and 80 females were used for this study. These were collected from fishermen that use gillnets. Females were bigger than males though did not show any significant difference (P<0.05). Length - weight (b) values showed that males (b = 2.6), females (b =2.7) and pooled (b = 2.7) exhibited negative allometric growth pattern hence, length and weight did not grow at the same proportion. There was positive correlation (r) between length and weight of males (r = 0.74), females (r = 0.78) and pooled (r = 0.85). It is recommended that similar study should be done for dry season, other aspects of the biology of the fish should be studied and water quality assessment through determination of physico - chemical parameters to know the pollution status of the reservoir should also be carried out. This would go a long way to provide better management for Hepsetus odoe and other fish species in the reservoir.   

Keywords:Growth pattern, Hepsetus odoe, length - weight relationship, reservoir, Niger state