The Length-Weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) Broodstock at Kegati Aquaculture Research Station, Kisii, Kenya

Abstract

The present study describes the Length -Weight Relationship (LWR) and condition factor (K) for 215 Oreochromis niloticus broodstock from Kegati Aquaculture Research Station, Kenya. The male broodstock (average length 18.3 ± 0.1 cm and weight 126.69 ± 0.2 g) and female broodstock (average length 15.18 ± 0.1 cm and weight 84.84 ± 0.06 g) were randomly sampled from the stations’ production ponds and weighed using digital weighing balance (0.1g) and length measured using measuring board (0.1cm). Length-Weight relationship (LWR) was described by the equation: W = a Lb while the condition factor was determined using the equation: K = 100W/ Lb. The value of the regression co-efficient ‘b’ obtained for the LWR for the male was 2.5 while that for the female was 3.2 suggesting an isometric growth for the brooders. The mean condition factor for the broodstock was 1.02 ± 0.04 and 1.12 ± 0.02 for males and females respectively. There was a significant difference in condition factor between the male and female brooders (ANOVA, P < 0.05). The condition factor was within the standard set for healthy fish and this was indicative that indeed, Kegati broodstock were in good condition for larviculture purposes. Further condition factor analysis should be considered for Nile tilapia fingerlings in the station.