Length–weight relationship and condition factor of Clarias gariepinus in Lake Naivasha, Kenya

Abstract

Length–weight relationship and condition factor of 139 specimens of Clarias gariepinus in Lake Naivasha were investigated monthly, from experimental surveys, for a period of 6 months (October 2014 to April 2015). Samples for this study were collected by gill netting at Oserian bay and Crescent Lake. The parameters a and b of the length-weight relationship were estimated using the formula W= aLb while the condition factor was calculated from the equation K = W100/ L3. The b values in the relationship were; males (3.157), females (3.302) and both sexes combined (3.232), all exhibiting positive allometric growth hence obeying the cube law. The mean condition factor (K) of the specimen produced male, female and combined sex values of 0.5771, 0.5284 and 0.5527 respectively, an indication of the unhealthy status of the population with less tissue energy reserves, depressed reproductive potential and low survival. The determination of b and k of introduced fish species in an aquatic system is useful in assessing the well-being, growth performance and feed utilization in natural systems.