SPECIES COMPOSITION, SIZE DISTRIBUTION, CONDITION FACTOR AND GROWTH PATTERN OF CICHLIDS FROM ZOBE RESERVOIR, DUTSIN-MA, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA.

The species composition, size distribution, condition factor and growth pattern of cichlids from Zobe reservoir Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State was investigated between August and November 2022, with a view to understanding the distribution and well-being of cichlids in the water body. One hundred (100) cichlids were sampled from two (2) major landing sites (Makera and Garhi) of the reservoir, the fish were identified and separated before being transported in an ice box to the laboratory Biology Laboratory of the Federal University Dutsin-ma. At the laboratory, the length was measured to the nearest centimeter using a ruler while a sensitive weighing scale was used to measure the weight in grams. The results showed that four species were identified; Oreochromis niloticus (40), Oreochromis aureus (21), Sarotherodon galilaeus (21) and Coptodon zilli (18). The mean total length and weight were significantly higher (P<0.05) in O. niloticus compared to other species. The least was observed in O. aureus although it was not different significantly compared with C. zilli and S. galilaeus. The condition factor (K) of >1 was obtained in all the species with O. niloticus having the highest value of 2.26 which was significantly higher than 1.48 observed in O. aureus. All the species showed negative allometric growth, however, C. Zilli and O. aureus were very close to isometric growth with b values of 2.96 and 2.85 respectively. Although negative allometric growth was observed in all the species, the K values of >1 showed that all the cichlids in the Zobe reservoir are healthy and in good biological condition