Length-weight relationships of nine fish species from Ologe Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria

This study describes the length-weight relationships of (LWR) of nine fish species from Ologe Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria. A total of 1635 specimens were collected by local fishing gears from January, 2007 to December, 2007. The slope (b) values obtained for the nine fish species ranged from 2.5 to 3.2, and deferred significantly (p < 0.005) from 3, which indicates that the fish species have allometric growth. The condition factors (K) of the fish species ranged from 0.91 to 8.46.Keywords: Length-weight, Ologe Lagoon, allometric growth, condition facto

The effects of smoking on the nutritional qualities and shelf-life of Clarias gariepinus (BURCHELL 1822)

The effects of smoking on the chemical, microbiological and sensory qualities of a commercially important freshwater fish species, Clarias gariepinus stored at 4°C for 28 days were investigated. Thefish samples were collected from a research pond of Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria and Badagry Market, Lagos, Nigeria. The chemical profiles of the fresh and smoked fish were analyzed whilethe microbiological and sensory assessments were carried out weekly for a period of 28 days. Highest protein content (62.14 ± 6.67%) was recorded in smoked fish obtained from the fish pond while the least (14.23 ± 4.13%) was observed in fresh fish samples also from the fish pond. Similar results were obtained for the fat and ash contents. The differences in the proximate composition of the smoked and fresh samples were significant (p < 0.05). The total coliform count (Log10 Cfu/g) of smoked fish ranged between 3.777 - 6.871 which increases with duration of storage. Sensory evaluation of smoked fish samples showed that the quality of the smoked fish decreases with duration of storage. Therefore, C. gariepinus should be stored for a short period after smoking to retain its unique taste and flavour

The phytoremediation of crude oil-polluted aquatic environment by water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms)

A phytoremediation experiment was carried out in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan, Nigeria to examine the ability of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) to detoxify crude oil-polluted aquatic environments. There were fifteen (15) experimental units; twelve (12) had water hyacinth grown in them while three (3) had no water hyacinth. 100g of water hyacinth per litre of water were separately grown in 20mgl-1, 40mgl-1, 60mgl-1 and 0mgl-1 (Control A) crude oil. Another three (3) experimental units were seeded with 40mgl-1 of crude oil but no water hyacinth (Control B). The quantities of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) absorbed by water hyacinth in treatments seeded with crude oil (20mgl-1, 40mgl-1 and 60mgl-1) was significantly (