Validation of daily growth of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) young-of-the-year from Lake Baringo, Kenya
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Date
2010
Authors
Nyamweya, Chrisphine Sangara
Mlewa, Chrisestom Mwatete
Ngugi, Charles C.
Kaunda-Arara, Boaz
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley Online Library
Abstract
The African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is widely distributed in Africa, where it is a major food fish. The species comprises
a significant component of commercial fishery landings in Kenya, and elsewhere in Africa. Nevertheless, little
information or data exist on its age and growth characteristics, which is necessary for its sustainable management. This
study determined this information from the microstructure of lapillar otoliths of the young-of-the-year (YOY) of the species.
Analysis of the otolith microstructure from fish of known age confirmed that one growth increment (circulus) was
formed per day, forming the basis for their use to accurately age C. gariepinus YOY collected from Lake Baringo during
the months of August and September 2007. The derived length–age relationship correlated significantly (Pearson Correlation,
df = 53, P < 0.05), indicating that the YOY exhibited an average growth rate of 0.2285 cm day)1. The largest specimen
attained a total length of 40.5 cm in only 169 days. These results indicate that native C. gariepinus exhibits rapid
growth, achieving a large size during the first year. Thus, they can be recommended for purposes of aquaculture.
Description
Publisher version (Wiley Online Library) available at onlinelibrary.wiley.com › ... › Vol 15 Issue 4
Keywords
Growth, Age, Validation
Citation
Lakes & Reservoirs: Research and Management 2010 15: 341–345