International Journal of Marine Science, 2016, Vol.6, No.24, 1-8
7
that growth was more in body weight than in body length. Results of negative allometric growth were also
reported for P. jubelini from the Badagry Creek (b = 2.91) (Agboola & Anetekhai, 2008) and from the Qua Iboe
estuary (b = 2.81) (King, 1996), Nigeria.
The correlation of coefficient (b) values for the Cichlids Tilapia zilli, Sarotherondon melanotheron, Tilapia
guinensis, Tilapia mariae and
Oreochromis niloticus
ranged from 4.73 – 15.59 showing a positive allometry
growth indicating growth being more in body weight than in body length. S. melanotheron had the highest and T.
mariae had the least. Frill fin fish (Bathygobius soporator) showed positive allometry growth (b = 6.82) while
Gymnarchus niloticus
showed negative allometry having correlation coefficient of 1.39. Similar observation was
made on Callinectes amnicola in Badagry, Lagos State and Warri River, Niger Delta Nigeria respectively.
Although, a positive allometry was reported for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Schilbe intermedius from Owalla
and Eko –ende reservoirs. The reason for differences in growth patterns could be attributed to availability of food,
poor environmental conditions and competition along the food chain.
The condition factor (K) reflects, through its variations, information on the physiological state of the fish in
relation to its welfare. From a nutritional point of view, there is the accumulation of fat and gonad development
(Le Cren, 1951). From a reproductive point of view, the highest K values are reached in some species (Angelescu
et al., 1958). K also gives information when comparing two populations living in certain feeding, density, climate,
and other conditions; when determining the period of gonad maturation; and when following up the degree of
feeding activity of a species to verify whether it is making good use of its feeding source (Weatherley, 1972).
Condition factor is a morphometric index used to evaluate physiological status of fish based on the principle that
those individual of a given length which have a higher mass are in better ‘condition’. In this study, the condition
factor (K) ranged from 0.90 – 4.65. The condition factor could be influenced by differences in size or age. 75% of
fish species sampled had K – factor greater than or equal to 1. According to Langler (1978), it has been found that
the value of K is not constant for individual species or populations but it is subject to wide variations for fish of
average natural condition. The K – factor should be equal to 1 while less than or greater than 1 indicate below and
above average conditions respectively. Wade (1992) stated that condition factor greater or equal to one is good.
All the fish had condition factors greater than one except the catfishes (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Chrysichthys
auratus) and
Marcusenius senegalensis
.
A closer examination of the condition factors revealed that 91.67% (11 out of 12 fish species) of the fish species
had their K values outside the range (2.9-4.8) recommended as suitable for matured fresh water fish by Bagenal
and Tesch (1978). This could have been caused by adverse environmental factors (Anene, 2005). This suggests
that the condition of Badagry creek in comparison to fresh water bodies may be un-favourable to fishes in the
creek. The causes of these adverse conditions may range from influx of industrial effluents from satellite industrial
estate; sand mining activities currently taking place in the creek; and massive road construction taking place along
the creek etc. Therefore, there would be need for more studies on the physico-chemical properties and the
condition factors of other fish species in Badagry creek to be able to establish the suitability of the creek for fish
survival.
References
Agboola, J. I., and Anetekhai, M. A. (2008). Length-weight relationship of some fresh and brackish water fishes in Badagry creek, Nigeria. Journal of Applied
Ichthyology, 24, 623-625.
Ajado, E. O. and Edokpayi, C. A. 2003. Comparative racial study of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) from River Niger and Badagry Lagoon, Southwest
Nigeria. Nig. J. Fish., 1, 41.48.
Alfred-Ockiya, J.F. (1996). Studies on the Ichthyofauna of Kolo creek River State, Niger Delta Biologia. 1:24-28.
Anyanwu, A. J. and Ezenwa, B. I. O. (1988). Incidence of parasitic infection of pond raised Tilapia spp. and some cultivable fish species from three ecological
areas of Lagos state. Nigeria Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, Technical Paper No. 32.
