#1International Journal of Biological Sciences and Applications 2015; 2(4): 33-36 Published online July 30, 2015 (http://www.aascit.org/journal/ijbsa) ISSN: 2375-3811 International Journal of Biological Sciences and Applications Keywords Length-Weight Relationship, Condition Factor, Tilapia Zilli, O. Niloticus, O. Mossabicus, O. Aureus, Ebonyi River Received: May 31, 2015 Revised: June 8, 2015 Accepted: June 9, 2015 American Association for AASCIT Science and Technology Condition Factor of Tilapia Species in Ebonyi River, Southeastern Nigeria Uneke Bilikis Iyabo Dept. of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria Email address [email protected] Citation Uneke Bilikis Iyabo. Condition Factor of Tilapia Species in Ebonyi River, Southeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Biological Sciences and Applications. Vol. 2, No. 4, 2015, pp. 33-36. Abstract Study on the condition factor for four species of Tilapia, Tilapia zilli, Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis mossabicus and Oreochromis aureus from Ebonyi River was conducted between (January-June, 2011) using mathematical and statistical analysis. Overall mean condition factor (K) value for T. zilli was 2.1. The highest K and lowest K values were 5.0 and 0.2 respectively. Overall mean K value for O. niloticus was 1.9 with highest and lowest K values as 4.5 and 0.2 respectively. Overall mean K value of O. aureus was 2.0. Highest K value was 4.8 while lowest K value obtained was 0.8. Overall mean K value for O. mossabicus was 1.9. Highest K value was 4.6 while lowest K value obtained was 0.5. The mean K values recorded for males from the four species were higher than the females indicating that males were in a better state of wellbeing than the females. From the result, the general observation of the condition of the fishes was the sampled fishes were in good condition and sustainable management should not be neglected. 1. Introduction Tilapia is both a genus of fishes in the cichlid family and the common name for nearly up to 100 species of freshwater and some brackish water cichlid fishes belonging to the three genera (Chapman, 1992). Tilapia cichlid inhabits the fresh water and brackish waters of much of Africa and Middle East. True tilapias however are native only to African and Middle Middle East. Tilapias are fish that are surrounded by fascinating facts (Baker, 1998). They have played an important role in the past and continue to play an important role these days in increasing food supply at affordable prices (Baker, 1998). Tilapia inhabits a variety of fresh and less commonly brackish water habitats, from shallow streams and ponds through the rivers, lakes and estuaries. Tilapias are hardy species produced by several culture methods under a wide range of environmental condition (Getahun, 2003). Tilapias are known to be produced in many countries, but most production is made in tropical and subtropical region in developing countries. Tilapias are also important in local and export markets as well as food fish by rural farmers (Appler, 1985). Historically, they have been of major importance in artisan fishing in Africa and the relevant and are of increasing importance in aquaculture. Tilapia can become problematic invasive species in new warm water habitat, whether deliberately or accidentally introduced. Tilapia is the fifth most important fish in fish farming, with production reaching 1505, 804 metric tonnes in 2000. This is because of their large size rapid growth and palatability (Chapman, 1992). Therefore this study seeks to provide information on the condition factor of four Tilapia fishes for sustainable management of this cichlid fishery.#234 Uneke Bilikis Iyabo: Condition Factor of Tilapia Species in Ebonyi River, Southeastern Nigeria 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Study Area This study was conducted in Ebonyi River, a tropical river Izzi Local Government Area, Ebonyi state, Southeastern Nigeria (Fig. 1). The vegetation of the river comparies mainly tall trees, bamboo plants, palm trees and elephant grasses. The bottom of the river is of fine sand and the surface is colonized randomly by water weeds which form protective covers for the water organisms. The river is subjected to the annual flooding from April to October (rainy season) during which most of the area is flooded. During the flood, when the level of water becomes increasingly high, active farming becomes increasingly intensified. However, towards the end of the flooding regime, the above cycle alternates with the resumption of fishing activities which get to the peak during the dry season. 2.2. Sample and Data Collection A total number of 320 fresh Tilapia fishes with standard length ranging from 6cm to 10cm were purchased from Ebonyi River fish landing site. The fishes were serially numbered the total length (TL) was taken from the tip of the head to the tip of the tail respectively using a meter rule calibrated in centimeter. Their corresponding body weights were also measured with table top weight balances to the nearest gram. Specimens were stored in coolers containing ice and were transported to the laboratory of the department of Applied Biology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria for further analysis. 2.3. Data Analysis The mean length and weights of the classes were used for data analysis the condition factor (K) of the experimental fish was estimated from the relationship. K=100W/L³ Where K-Condition factor W=Total weight (g) of fish L=Total length (cm) of fish 625N 8.00E 615N 8 00E Idembia Isieke Umuaghara Okposi Onu Achi Mgbabor Agharauga Ngele Okoro R lyiokwu R Atang Ogbaga Aghameghú Abia R Isiachi R ABAKALIKI Ebonyi Achi R 8 10E 6 25N Nkpunia W Ewe R. Amachi Adaka R Agbaja Ochacha Nkwagu SCALE 1:100 000 Fig 1. Map of Ebonyi river showing study area. S Legend River Study Area 615N 8 10E#3International Journal of Biological Sciences and Applications 2015; 2(4): 33-36 35 3. Results The overall monthly condition factor values in the respective abundance of the Tilapia zilli, Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis mossabicus and Oreochromis aureus in Ebonyi River showed that the highest K value (5.0) was in the month of June in T. zilli while the lowest K (0.2) value occurred in January, March and April in O. aureus, T. zilli and O. niloticus (Table 1). Condition factor values in relation to the sex of the four species of Tilapia revealed that male samples had highest K value of 5.0 and lowest K value of 0.4 while the mean K values were 2.4, 2.2, 2.1 and 2.2 for T. zilli, O. niloticus, O. aureus and O. mossabicus respectively. Female samples had highest K value of 3.5 and lowest K value of 0.2 while the mean K values were 1.7, 1.6, 1.6 and 1.7 for T. zilli, O. niloticus, O. aureus and O. mossabicus respectively (Table 2). Table 1. Monthly condition factor of the four Tilapia species. T. zilli O. niloticus O. mossabicus O. aureus Months/Species Hy Lv My Hy Ly My Hv Lv My Hv Lv My January 2011 2.5 0.5 1.6 2.6 0.6 1.4 2.6 0.6 1.4 2.7 0.2 1.5 February 2011 3.0 0.4 1.8 2.8 0.6 2.0 2.9 0.4 1.5 3.0 0.3 2.1 March 2011 3.5 0.2 1.5 3.2 0.5 1.8 3.0 0.5 1.8 2.9 0.4 1.8 April 2011 3.7 0.4 1.7 3.2 0.2 1.6 3.0 0.4 2.0 3.0 0.6 2.0 May 2011 4.0 1.0 2.2 3.9 0.5 1.9 3.5 0.9 1.7 4.0 1.2 2.6 June 2011 5.0 0.6 2.3 4.5 0.6 2.7 4.8 0.6 2.3 4.6 0.6 2.5 Overall K value 5.0 0.2 2.1 4.5 0.2 1.9 4.8 0.4 1.9 4.6 0.2 2.0 Hv Highest value Lv = Lowest value My Mean value Table 2. Condition factor value in relation to the sex of the four species of Tilapia. Sample Male Female Species/Sex size Hv Lv My Hv Ly Mv T. zilli 80 5.0 0.4 2.4 3.5 0.2 1.7 O. niloticus 80 4.5 0.8 2.2 3.2 0.2 1.6 O. mossabicus 80 4.6 0.5 2.1 3.0 0.2 1.6 O. aureus 80 4.8 0.8 2.2 3.5 0.4 1.7 Hv Highest value Lv = Lowest value My Mean value 4. Discussion A total of three hundred and twenty (320) tilapia species that composed of eighty (80) each of Tilapia zilli, Oreochromis niloticous, O. aureus and O. mossabicus which are in the family of cichlid were collected during the study period (January-June, 2011). Monthly mean K values of all the four species indicate that these populations in Ebonyi River were in good condition as K value was greater than 1. Condition factor values in relation to the sex of the four species of Tilapia indicated that males had higher condition factor values than females; thus male samples were in a better state of wellbeing than the females which is in agreement with the findings of Mahomound et al. (2011). With respect to highest and lowest k values among these species populations, lowest values revealed K as being below one, indicating poor condition of some samples within the populations. The result obtained on O. niloticous, is below K values recorded from the works of Haruna and Bala (2006). It is above the result obtain in the work of Olurin and Adeighe (2006) although it is below that of Bagenal and Tesch (1978) which indicated a range of 2.9-4.8 as the ideal range of K value for the normal growth and utilization of nutrients by a normal fresh water fish. T. zilli showed a relatively more improved performance in terms of growth in which maximum K value of 5.0 but it is comparatively lower than the K value obtained from the studies of Haruna and Bala (2006). The K value comfortably fall within the ideal set of Bagenal and Tesch (1978) and Uneke (2013) but the result of T. zilli was lower than that of Anene (2005). O. mossabicus K values fell barely within the range obtained in the work of Haruna and Bala (2006). The maximum K factor of O. mossabicus and O. aureus in the current study was within the range recommended by Bagenal and Tesch (1978). In this study efficient sampling was carried out to include the widest possible range of lengths, which are generally obtained using non-selective fishing techniques the variation in specimens to fully sample matured specimens. In conclusion, mean K values recorded in this study indicate four thriving cichlid populations in good condition in which their sustainable management should not be neglected.#436 Uneke Bilikis Iyabo: Condition Factor of Tilapia Species in Ebonyi River, Southeastern Nigeria References [1] Chapman, Frank A. (1992). Culture of Hybrid Tilapia. Pp. 1051. [2] Baker, J. (1998). Simply Fish. London; Faber and Faber. pp. 197. [3] Getahun, A. (2003). Breeding season, length-weight relationship and condition of introduced fish, Tilapia zilli Gerv. 1848 (Pisces: Cichlidae) Lake Zwai, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Science, 26(2): 115-122. [4] Appler, H. N. (1985). Evaluation of Hydroichyon Reticulatum as a Protein Source in Feeds for Oreochromis (Tilapia) niloticus and Tilapia zilli, Journal of Fish Biology, 27:32 7-334. [5] Mahomoud, W. F., Amal, M. M. A., Kamal, F. E. A., Mohamed, R. and Magdy M. K. O. E (2011). Reproductive biology and some observation on the age, growth, and management of Tilapia zilli (Gerv, 1848) from Lake Timsah, Egypt. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquaculture 3(2), 15-25. [6] Haruna, O. A. and Bala, S.H (2006). Condition factor of the chichlidae family in the upper Parna river flood plain, Brazil. Journal of Fish biology 32:515-18. [7] Olurin, J.C. and Adeighe, N.A (2006). Observation on the condition factor of O. niloticus (Pisces: cyprinfonns, chichlidae) from Asa reservoir Ilorin, Nigeria. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science 5: 43-47. [8] [87] Bagenal, T. B. and Tesch, F. W. (1978). Methods for assessment of fish production in fresh water. 3rd edition in age and growth, 101-136. [9] Uneke, B. I. (2013). Morphometric Parameters and Condition Factor of Tilapia zilli (Perciformes: Cichlidae) of the Mid Cross River Flood System, South Eastern Nigeria. Continental J. Animal and Veterinary Research 6 (1): 1-10. [10] Anene, A. (2005). Condition Factor for Chichild Species of a man-made lake in Imo State. South-Eastern Nigeria. Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 5:43-47