Abundance and condition factor of African Carp: Labeo parvus Boulenger, 1902 (Pisces: Cyprinidae) in the Oueme River, Benin.

Abstract

The distribution, relative abnndance and condition factor (Kn) of Labeo parvus in the Oueme river (Benin) are described from monthly data which were collected between April, 2005 and March, 2006. Fish were captured using gill nets set in the late aftemoon and retrieved the following moming. The abrmdance and distribution of L. parvus decrease from N orthem to Southern basin. L. parvus was observed to be more abrmdant intwo sampling stations: Beterou and atchakpa situated inrocky habitat inthe upper river. The lower abrmdance was observed in the two stations situated in the dowmiver basin. Maximwn catches occwred in Inne, July and December. The mean condition factor (Kn) of L. parvus in the different stations from the Oueme river varies from 0.91 (inAgonlin-Lowe) to 1.14 (in Atchakpa) with a significant difference between the stations. The condition factor shows a definite seasonal cycle and that the fluctuations in respect of the females are sharp, especially during May to August although the trend in both sexes is more or less same. The fluctuations in Kn values in both the sexes can be attributed to spawning cycle as well as feeding intensity.