International Journal of Aquaculture, 2018, Vol.8, No.13, 98-103
101
Tana and some other Ethiopian rift valley lakes), expansion of agriculture and industrialization, climate change,
using improper fishing gears and poison plants, wetland degradation and fish diseases. As a result the water is
getting shallower and shallower, which is not comfortable for the bottom feeder fishes like
C. gariepinus
. This
could result the poor body condition of fish in the water bodies.
V. beso
and
L. nedgia
had good body conditions
in rivers of Ethiopia. This is most probably running waters receive significant nutrient inputs like nitrogen (N) and
phosphorus (P) by eutrophication (loading of nutrients). In addition, the seasonal flooding can contribute to high
zooplankton population in the water through bringing nutrients from the environment, and help in mixing
autochthonous nutrients amongst the different strata of lake, which trigger the fauna and flora to increase the
productivity of water bodies (Okogwu, 2010).
Figure 2 Fulton Condition Factor (Mean) of values of
Vericorhinus beso
,
Labeobarbus nedgia
and the African catfish
Clarias
gariepinus
in different water bodies of Ethiopia (Tesfaye, 2006; Alemayehu, 2009; Abera, 2016; Melaku et al., 2017)
2 Conclusions
Based on this review the length-weight relationship and condition factor of the endemic
Labeobarbus nedgia
,
Varicohrinus beso
and the African catfish
Clarias gariepinus
were different in different water bodies of Ethiopia.
Labeobarbus nedgia
and
Clarias gariepinus
showed isometric growth pattern in most water bodies of Ethiopia.
Whereas,
V. beso
had positive allometric growth pattern in Dura and Ardi Rivers.
Labeobarbus nedgia
and
V.
beso
had better body condition than
C. gariepinus
in all water bodies. In conclusion, the biological aspects of fish
(the body condition and length-weight) ultimately depend on seasons, sex, food availability, water quality
parameters and gonad development in the water bodies to be considered. Therefore, proper management of
aquatic ecosystems is vital for sustainable fish stock utilization in the country.
Authors’ contributions
Agumassie Tesfahun has compiled the data, prepared the manuscript, edited and finalize of the manuscript.
Acknowledgements
I acknowledged the efforts made by the earlier researchers and express my gratitude for permitting to use the required data from their
publications.
References
Abera L., Admassu D., and Tadesse Z., 2014, Length-weight relationship, sex ratio, length at maturity and condition factor of African catfish
Clarias
gariepinus
in Lake Babogaya, Ethiopia. J. Adv. Res. Biol. Sci.1:105-112
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
Fulton Condition Factor (FCF
)
Water bodies
Clarias gariepinus
Varicorhinus beso
Labeobarbus nedgia
