Aspects of reproductive biology of Hyperopisus bebe occidentalis (Gunther) in Zaria Dam, Nigeria

Studies were conducted on some aspects of the reproductive biology of Hyperopisus bebe occidentalis in Zaria dam. Fish were captured by using nets of various mesh sizes for 24 months. Sex ratio of female to male was 1:1.08. Fully matured gonads were observed from July to October (rainy season). Fish with spent gonads were found from December to February, virgin or immature gonads (stage I and II) were found in February to May, with the peak in March in female fish and January in male. The estimated fecundity ranged from 2025 to 4192 eggs per female with mean of 2822.4 ~c SD 781.43 eggs that had standard length range of 24.20cm to 35.50cm. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) ranged from 1.63% to 3.31%. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.873, p>0.05) between the weight of the fish and fecundity and insignificant correlation (r=0.497, p<0.05) between the standard length and fecundity

Length-weight relationships of Hyperopisus bebe occidentalis in Zaria Dam

The morphometric parameters of 54 Hyperopisus hebe occidentalis obtained from Zaria Dam were investigated. The length occidentalis examined ranged from 18.9-41.0 cm and weight ranged from 25-425g, the largest male weighed 175g while the female was 425g. The length-weight relationship of H. Bebe occidentalis in Zaria showed a positive correlation (r=0.897) in both regression exponent (b>3) for both sexes showed positive allometric growth pattern. The mean condition factor obtained (0.95- 1.26). In both sexes, the condition factor generally increased with increase in individual size of the fish irrespective of sex but slightly in male than female

Comparative analysis of physicochemical characteristics of ABU and Zaria Dam

The physical and chemical parameters of ABU Dam and Zaria Dam were carried out between September and October 2009. The results obtained in the two water bodies were temperature 27.7 0C, pH (7.5 and 7.3), dissolved oxygen (5.8 mg/l and 5.0 mg/l), biochemical oxygen demand (1.74 mg/l and 2. 16 mg/l), alkalinity (58 mg CaC03/l and 49 mgCaCO3/l) P04-P (2.47 mg/l and 1.59 mg/l) NO3-N (3.67 mg/l and 3.47 mg/l), conductivity (54.70 ~ks-1 and 42.48 ~ks-1), total hydrocarbon (TH) (47.66 mg/l) and 48.00 mg/l) and total dissolved solids (32.68 mg/l and 25.35 mg/l) respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean values of the parameters (P>0.05) except conductivity and total dissolved solids. The water bodies were found to be neutral with high conductivity. All the properties in the water bodies were in conformity with international standards both for drinking and aquatic life

The length weight relationship and condition factor of the Banded Jewel fish (Hemichromis fasciatus Peters) from Kainji Lake, Nigeria

The length weight relationship and condition factor of Hemichromis fasciatus from Kainji Lake was studied. One hundred and twenty seven fish samples of total length ranging from 6.50cm 15.50cm and weigh between 4.00g and 60.00g collected between August 2006 and June 2007 were analyzed. Results showed that a, b and r - values were 0.0042, 3.442 and 0.966 respectively, while the condition factor (CF) values varied from 0.67 2.42 with mean of 1.203. The fish exhibited positive allometric growth pattern. The condition of the lake is favourable for the survival of the fish species

Factors related with adoption of fish farming technologies in selected communities in Niger State, Nigeria

This study investigates the factors, which inhibit or facilitate adoption of fish farming technologies by individual fish farmers in Niger State. There was significant relationship between six of the ten variables investigated and these have contributed significantly (p<0.05) towards predicting the adoption scores of the fish farmers. It is believed that proper assessment of these factors by researchers could be used by policy makers and executioners to improve adoption of fish farming innovations. Significant factors include farmers&rsquo; age, education, pond size, access to credit, sources of information and income level. Recommendations were made involving change agents and policy markers for future fisheries and aquaculture development in Nigeria. Keywords: Study, Factors, Adoption, Technologies, Fish farming, Communities, Nigeri

Growth performance of fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus fed fermented seed of Senna obtusifolia (Linn)

The effects of replacing soybean meal with graded levels of fermented Senna obtusifolia seed meals (SOSM) on the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus were investigated. Five isonitrogenous (42% crude protein) and isocaloric (25.7% NFE) diets were formulated in which fermented replaced soybean meal (SBM) at 0% (SOSM0), 25% (SOSM25), 50% (SOSM50), 75% (SOSM75) and 100% (SOSM100) inclusion levels and a commercial feed (CmF) as the second control. Three hundred and sixty (360) fingerlings of (Clarias gariepinus) mean weight (2.85±0.01g) were stocked at (20) fish per tank volume in triplicate groups per treatment and fed 3% body weight twice a day of the experimental diets for 180 days. The feeding rate was adjusted after weighing. The water qualities were within range recommended for Clarias gariepinus. There were no significant differences (p&gt; 0.05) in growth performance and nutrient utilization between the control groups and those fed the fermented SOSM diets at 25%. The commercial, 0% and 25% groups had the highest mean weight gain (279 to 280 g), significantly (P&lt;0.05) superior to the groups that received the, 50%, 75% while the group that received 100% SOSM diet had the poorest mean weight gain (132.72g). Feed conversion ratios (FCR) of all treatments ranged from (1.75 to 2.18). These values increased slightly by increasing levels of fermented SOSM from 50 to 100%. The best FCR, 1.75± 0.02, recorded for fish fed 25% fermented SOSM indicated a superior level of utilization of the SOSM diet by the fish. There was no significant difference (P&gt;0.05) in the protein intake among the group of fish fed 0 and 25%, but significant difference (P&lt;0.05) occur in fish fed 50, 75 and 100% fermented SOSM respectively. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) exhibited significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in all treatments except in the control diets that were not statistically different (P&gt;0.05) from the fish fed the 25% fermented SOSM. The PER values increased among the experimental fish with respect to the quantity of total feed intake. There were no significant differences (P&gt;0.05) in apparent net protein utilization (ANPU) among treatments CmF, 0% and 25%. The ANPU was highest in fish fed 0% fermented SOSM (91.6±0.04) while fish fed 75 and 100 % fermented SOSM in diets were 71.4±0.02 and 73.4±0.03 were the least. There was a significant (P&lt;0.05) difference in the effect of the inclusion levels of fermented (SOSM) on final body carcass composition among treatments. This study showed that soybean meal can be substituted with fermented Senna obtusifolia seed meal up to 25% level in Clarias gariepinus diets without any negative effects on the growth and feed efficiency.Keywords: Growth; fermented Senna obtusifolia (Linn); Clarias gariepinus fingerling