Reproductive efficiency as a function of age in estuarine catfish, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus of the Cross River, Nigeria
2012
Ama-Abasi, D. | Uduak, S.
Study was conducted on the reproductive efficiency of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus of the Cross River. The objective was to determine the influence of age on eggs size and fecundity. Forty four females of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus were sampled from April, 2011 to March, 2012. Fecundity and eggs size were measured in relation to fish size. The relationship between egg size and fish size produced a parabolic curve. This implies that younger fish and older fish were less efficient in terms of eggs size and quality while the middle aged fishes were more efficient in terms of eggs size and quality. Similarly, there was an inverse curvilinear relationship between number of eggs per unit weight and somatic weight of the fish. Younger fish are less efficient because of the physiology of growth, while the older fishes are less efficient because of reproductive senescence. Management strategy for the stock therefore requires the conservation of the middle aged individuals for increase in reproduction. Also in aquaculture the middle aged class should be used as broodstock for excellent results.
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This bibliographic record has been provided by Fisheries Society of Nigeria