LENGTH FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION AND LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP OF Schilbe mystus FROM LEKKI LAGOON IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Olagbemide Peter Taiwo

Department of Biological Sciences

Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.

E-mail-petseko2004@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACTS

Length-weight relationship and length-frequency distribution of 6months samples of Schilbe mystus from Lekki Lagoon were estimated. The length range was 10.1 – 20.7cm for both sexes. The young fish did not constitute the highest percentage of all the catches. The parameters a and b of length-weight relationship were -2.075 and 2.938, that is, the regression constant and the regression presented an inverse relationship. The species exhibited negative allometric growth. The importance of the estimated length-weight relationship parameters to the assessment of Schilbe mystus in Lekki Lagoon was highlighted.

Key words: Allometric growth, Epe, modal length.