Biology of bigmouth sleeper, Eleotris vittata (Dumѐril, 1861) (Pisces: Eleotridae) in the lower Cross River, Nigeria

Abstract

Between May and December 2014, the abundance, condition factor, length-weight relationship, food and feeding habits of the bigmouth sleeper, Eleotris vittata were studied in the lower Cross River, Nigeria. Data generated were subjected to statistical analyses analysis at 0.05 probability level. A total of 231 specimens were collected and examined. The highest number was recorded in the month of December (79 specimens; 34.20%) while September (2 specimens; 0.87%) had the least. The highest monthly condition factor was recorded in June (1.56) while November (1.30) had the lowest. E. vittata had total length and total weight ranges of 8.10-110.30cm and 5.07-342.70g respectively. Seasonal variation in abundance of E. vittata was higher (121 specimens; 52.38%) during the wet season than the dry season (110 specimens; 47.62%). The results obtained from the length-weight relationship graph showed that the growth pattern of the fish was negatively allometric with b values of 0.16 obtained at P