GROWTH PATTERN, DIET AND REPRODUCTIVE FEATURES OF Hemichromis fasciatus IN ELEYELE LAKE, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA.

Abstract

The growth pattern, diet and reproductive features of Hemichromis fasciatus in Eleyele Lake were investigated.
Samples of H. fasciatus were collected from artisanal fishermen who captured the fish with gill nets of 50.8mm
mesh size in the lake. Length-weight relationship was estimated, and condition factor (K) obtained by means of
Fulton condition index. Stomach contents were analyzed using numerical, frequency of occurrence and points
methods. Reproductive features including gonadosomatic index (GSI) was calculated and fecundity evaluated by
gravimetric method. Hemichromis fasciatus exhibited positive allometric growth (b =3.295); mean K factor was
1.733 ± 0.209 and differed significantly between sexes, sizes and months. The food items in the stomach were
algae, rotifers, crtustaceans, protozoans, macrobenthos and fish fry. The mean absolute fecundity was 1356.39
± 556.2eggs. Hemichromis fasciatus in Eleyele Lake could be referred to as an invertivore-piscivore based on
the prey items encountered in the stomach. The obtained b value, condition factor and wide spectrum of food
encountered in the stomach of Hemichromis fasciatus in Eleyele Lake is an indication of the suitability of the
environment for its production.