Some somatic indices of Clarotes laticeps from lower river Benue, Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract

The condition factor, Gonado-somatic index and Hepatosomatic index of Clarotes laticeps from Lower River Benue were determined using 157 samples from the catches of the fishermen within Abinsi and Wadata Axis of the river in Makurdi, Nigeria. The highest condition factor and hepato-somatic index of 1.2956±0.07 and 4.1799±0.49 respectively were recorded in January while the highest gonado-somatic index of 0.9725±0.12 was recorded in August. The least condition factor, gonado-somatic index and hepato-somatic index of 0.9995±0.04, 0.2738±0.03 and 1.4227±0.23 were recorded in August, December and September respectively. It was also observed that both the male and female Clarotes laticeps from Lower River Benue are in good condition at 1.22±0.03 while the female had higher Gonado-somatic index and hepato-somatic index (0.3830±0.02 and 2.94±0.22 respectively) than male with 0.2664±0.37 and 2.78±0.21 respectively. There were significant differences in the parameters across the months of sampling but relatively insignificant between the sexes. The correlation coefficients shows significant inverse relationship between the condition factor and both the gonado-somatic index and hepato-somatic index but significant direct relationship between the gonado-somatic index and the hepato-somatic index. It was concluded that Clarotes laticeps in Lower River Benue is in good condition.