363
Views
12
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Short Communications

Length–weight relationships and condition factors of six fish species caught using gill nets in a tropical African reservoir, Zimbabwe

, &
Pages 75-79 | Received 16 Jul 2012, Accepted 20 Sep 2012, Published online: 07 Jan 2013
 

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to fill a knowledge gap and provide useful information for fish management and conservation in the Malilangwe reservoir. Length–weight relationships and condition factors (K) of six fish species, Oreochromis macrochir, Oreochromis mossambicus, Hydrocynus vittatus, Clarias gariepinus, Oreochromis placidus and Labeo altivelis, were investigated in Malilangwe reservoir, Zimbabwe between February and October 2011. Samples were collected monthly with seine and gill nets during three seasons: hot-wet (February to April), cool-dry (May to August) and hot-dry (September to October). The length–weight relationship had a significant positive correlation (r>0.5) for the six species. The growth exponent (b) indicated a negative allometric growth for seven species (b range = 1.52–2.81). Condition factor (K) values were greater than one (1.34–9.29) for O. macrochir, O. mossambicus, C. gariepinus, O. placidus and L. altivelis while it was less than one for H. vittatus (0.82–3.09). The value of K varied with seasons. The study provides new information on length–weight parameters for O. mossambicus and O. placidus.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD - A/10/02914) and the Malilangwe Trust Postgraduate Research Grant supported this study. We were assisted in the field by Lenin Dzibakwe Chari, Patrick Mutizamhepo and Clemence Chakuya from the University of Zimbabwe and Philemon Chivambu, Pandeni Chitimela and Pamushana, guides from the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve. Elizabeth Munyoro and the technical staff of the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, provided technical support.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 61.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 245.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.