Some reproductive aspects of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacépède: 1803) in Oguta Lake, Southeastern Nigeria

Uzoka Christopher Ndubuisi, Dike Henry Ogbuagu, DOI: 10.46793/BiolNyss.17.1.19N

Abstract


The silver catfish, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Siluriformes: Bagridae) is a commercially important species in Oguta Lake, but of recent its yield from most capture fisheries in Nigeria is stagnating. Between March 2023 and February 2025, fecundity, egg size and gonadosomatic index of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in Oguta Lake were studied. Catfish sampling was done mainly with gill nets together with cast net and basket trap. Sampling was carried out once every month for a period of 24 months. A total of 171 specimens were collected comprising 100 females and 71 males. Six stages of gonad maturity of C. nigrodigitatus was recorded. Stage V of gonadal development was highest in abundance in both male and female specimens. Fecundity of C. nigrodigitatus examined showed that mean weight of 305.78g (Total length of 36.10 cm) and 174.3g (Total length of 29.50 cm) had the highest mean number (4761.08) and lowest mean number (2325) of eggs, respectively. Body weight proportionally increased as the standard length increased with a high positive correlation (r = 0.9829). Mean egg diameter of C. nigrodigitatus ranged between 2.46 mm to 2.61 mm between May and September. Mean gonadosomatic index (GSI) was highest in May in both females (13.40) and males (2.63) respectively. Lowest GSI was recorded in October. Gonadosomatic index increased during the wet season but decreased during the dry season in both sexes. The aim of this study is to determine the fecundity, egg size, spawning period and gonadosomatic index of C. nigrodigitatus with respect to its sustainability and aquaculture potentials.


Keywords


Fecundity, Gonad maturity, Egg diameter, Gonadosomatic index. Gill net, Oguta Lake

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References


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