Estimation of Length-Weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Two Dominant Fish Species in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm Reservoir, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

This study examined the length-weight relationships (LWR) and condition factors (K) of two dominant fish species: Coptodon zillii (Gervais, 1848) and Sarotherodon galilaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm Reservoir. This reservoir contains various fish species, providing an essential source of animal protein for the O.A.U. community and its immediate environment. The aim was to provide preliminary insights into the health status of the fish species in this reservoir, which is crucial for evaluating the long-term sustainability of its fishery resources. A total of 138 fish specimens were collected from the site between November 2022 and January 2023. The total length of the fish samples ranged between 17.3cm to 27.6 cm for C. zillii and 18.3 cm to 28 cm for S. galilaeus while their weight ranged between 126.00g to 436.69 g and 138.05g to 480.00 g for C. zillii and S. galilaeus respectively. Parameters of the length-weight relationship were estimated and the growth pattern (regression coefficient), (b), ranged between 2.652 ± 0.16 and 2.721 ± 0.05 for both C. zillii and S. galilaeus respectively. The two species exhibited a negative allometric growth pattern as “b” values were less than 3. The weight-length relationship had a positive correlation coefficient, (r) of 0.89 and 0.97, while the coefficient of determination, (r2), was 0.79 and 0.94 for C. zillii and S. galilaeus respectively. The condition factor, (k) of 2.206 was recorded in C. zillii and 2.338 in S. galilaeus. This indicated that the fish species were in good condition and thriving well in the reservoir of study. The study, therefore, recommended effective management of the reservoir in order to sustain its valuable fishery resources.