Size Frequency Distribution, Length-length and Weight-length Relationships and Condition Factor of Eight Fish Species of Nkam River, Coastal Cameroon

Abstract

Aims: To assess the aquaculture potential of endogenous species in their habitat for domestication and preservation. Study Design: Growth performances of fish caught was analyzed by family, species, sex and month. Place and Duration: This study was conducted from April 12 to June 28, 2016 at CREVS (Cameroon Reptiles and Ecosystems Valorization Society) located in the District of Yabassi, Department of Nkam, Coastal Region of Cameroon. Methodology: A total of 160 fishes were collected by quantitative sampling for 3 months in the Nkam River. Results: It appears that two families of fish were recorded: the Cyprinidae (Labeo sanagaensis) and the Cichlidae (Tilapia cameronensis, Sarotherodon galilaeus sanagaensis, Sarotherodon nigripinnis dolloi, Tylochromis sudanensis, Hemichromis elongatus, Tylochromis trewavasae and Chromidotilapia gutheri gutheri). L. sanagaensis recorded the highest relative abundance (30%) against 3.13% (C. gutheri gutheri). Large fish were recorded in the majority of species in males, except in T. trewavasae and H. elongatus. The average total length was 23.71 ± 8.31 cm and the average total weight was 266.11 ± 200.96 g. Size frequency distribution of fish was bimodal with a large mode at size 20 cm and a small at size 36 cm. Small fish were abundant in catches especially in S. nigripinnis dolloi and C. gutheri gutheri. The allometric coefficient b of the weight-length relationship averaged 3.01 ± 0.87. The fish presented three types of growth: isometric, positive and negative allometric, and the condition factor K was greater than 1. Conclusion: It was concluded that these fish species could in general be potential candidates for domestication.