Publication Date:
2021-07-12
Description:
Between October 2000 and March 2001, a preliminary study on the aspects of the biology of 〈i〉Parachanna obscura〈/i〉, was investigated. Sex ratio revealed female preponderance [X〈sup〉2〈/sup〉=4,7338, df =1, p〈0.05]. There was a seasonality in sex ratio during the wet season whereas there was seasonality increase in number of females over males [x〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 = 4.735, df = 1, p = 〈 0.05]. A curvilinear plot was obtained in the regression of the total length and total weight TW = 0.018621 TL〈sup〉2697〈/sup〉,n= 408, r = 0.869, [p〈0.001]. Trophic spectrum of 〈i〉C. obscura〈/i〉 [size range 9.0 18.0 cm comprises food items. The items were re-classified into seven major groups consisting of detritus [coarse fine detritus], fish juvenile and remains of fish], Insecta [un-identified adult and remains of insects, macrophyte materials, mud, Oligochoetes [earth-worm], and abiogenic sand. Fish, insects Oligochoetes were eaten as primary foods items. There was a complete ingestion of the array the dietaries by both sexes. Exception of one item [coarse detritus] during the wet season,〈i〉 P. obscura〈/i〉 consumed all the dietaries during the seasons. Nevertheless, the later season increased in the ingestion of 9 out of the 10 items in conformity with optimal foraging theory. 〈i〉Parachal obscura〈/i〉 is considered as piscivore-insectivore-invertivore in feeding habits. In the wake of doubts about the viability and prospects of aquaculture, farming of 〈i〉P. obscura〈/i〉 is a possibility. This species possesses a number of positive attributes with regards to aquaculture. It is likely that efforts to culture this hardy carnivorous and fast-growing fish will spread in the coming years in Nigeria, breeders and fish farmers will likely give it a chance.
Description:
Includes:- 2 tables.;9 refs.
Keywords:
Biology
;
Fisheries
;
Parachanna obscura
;
Nigeria
;
Akwa Ibom
;
Snakehead Fish
;
freshwater environment
;
Fishery biology
;
Length-weight relationships
;
Feeding behaviour
;
Stomach content
;
Seasonal variations
Repository Name:
AquaDocs
Type:
conference_item
,
TRUE
Format:
application/pdf
Format:
application/pdf
Format:
132 - 137
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