Length-Weight Relationship, Condition Factor and Sex Ratio of African Mudcatfish (Clarias gariepinus) Reared in Indoor Water Recirculation System Tanks

Length-weight relationship, condition factor and sex ratio of 152 specimens of African mud-catfish (Clarias gariepinus) reared in indoor water recirculation system tanks were studied. The parameters "a" and "b" of the length-weight relationship were estimated using the formula W= alb while the condition factor was calculated from the equation K = W100 L 3. The "b" values for the males, females and combined sexes were 1.2713, 2.8412 and 1.8776, respectively. The species exhibited negative allometric growth. The average "K" value for the males was 0.6948 0.2494, females 0.6953 0.0969 while the combined sexes was 0.6540 0.1907 and there was no significant difference among the sexes. The sex ratio of males to females was 1:1.08 and was not significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio. The determination of "b" and "k" of cultured fish can be useful tools in assessing the well being, growth performance and feed utilization in culture systems.