HOME JOURNALS CONTACT

Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Year: 2017 | Volume: 12 | Issue: 3 | Page No.: 106-116
DOI: 10.3923/jfas.2017.106.116
Reproductive Biology and Life History Patterns of the Claroteid, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacépède: 1803) from a Man-made Lake in Southern Benin
Alphonse Adite, Houehanou Megnisse G.A. Gbaguidi and Jean-Marc Ategbo

Abstract: Background and Objective: The success of aquaculture and fisheries management of introduced key species requires knowledge on spawning biology. This study aimed to document the reproductive biological traits of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from a sand-dragged artificial lake. Methodology: During 15 months, about 1020 individuals were sampled and examined for its spawning characteristics. Sex ratio, gonadosomatic index (GSI), lengths at first sexual maturity (L50) and batch fecundity (Fb) were computed and one-way ANOVA was performed using SPSS computer software. Results: Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus was a prominent species in Lake Ahozon and numerically made about 11.22% of the fish assemblages. The population was dominated by females (67.84%) and showed a sex-ratio of 1:2.1. A delayed maturation was recorded and lengths at sexual maturity (L50) were 20 and 17 cm TL for males and females, respectively. In Lake Ahozon, C. nigrodigitatus spawned all seasons with a peak between April-June. Batch fecundities (Fb) ranged between 350-26040 eggs and significantly (p<0.05) increased with total length (Fb = 0.314TL3,023, r = 0.81) and body weight (Fb = 31.50BW-203, r = 0.74). Egg diameters ranged between 0.30-3.10 mm and frequency distributions evidenced the production of multiple cohorts of eggs with an important stock of offsprings for recruitment. Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus displayed a life history strategy closer to "k" selected that favored its propagation in Lake Ahozon. Conclusion: It is concluded that C. nigrodigitatus is a multiple spawner that reproduces all seasons in the man-made lake, with a peak in wet periods, April-June. The reproductive traits depicted in this special medium-environment are useful for fisheries management, aquaculture and species conservation.

Fulltext PDF Fulltext HTML

How to cite this article
Alphonse Adite, Houehanou Megnisse G.A. Gbaguidi and Jean-Marc Ategbo, 2017. Reproductive Biology and Life History Patterns of the Claroteid, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacépède: 1803) from a Man-made Lake in Southern Benin. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, 12: 106-116.

Related Articles:
© Science Alert. All Rights Reserved