Length/weight relationships and condition factor of Trachinotus goreensis from Bonny Estuary, Nigeria

Abstract

The length-weight relationships and condition factor of golden pompano (Trachinotus goreensis) from Bonny Estuary, Rivers State, Nigeria, was studied for a period of three months (January – March, 2021). Fish samples were collected from local fishers at the landing sites in the estuary. A total of 246 samples of T. goreensis with total lengths ranging from 18.00 -70.00cm and a corresponding weight range of between 470.00- and 3000.00g were recorded. Samples were identified using standard fish identification keys. Length – weight relationships and condition factor were calculated according to standard methods. Data were subjected to FAO ICLARM Stock Assessment Tools (FISAT II) and Microsoft Excel for regression analysis. The mean intercept constant (a) obtained for T. goreensis was 0.39. The slope (b) value was 2.33, showing a negative allometric growth pattern. The correlation coefficient (r) value for the species was 0.94 indicating a positive relationship between the length and weight. The overall monthly condition factor (K) of the species was 1.56 indicating that the fish was in good condition. It could be inferred that T. goreensis from Bonny Estuary had negative allometric growth and was found to be doing well judging from its condition factor. Keywords: Growth, Allometry, Trachinotus, Condition factor, Estuary