Lenght-weight relationship and condition factor of blackchin tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) cultured in sheltered outdoor tanks

Length-weight relationship (LWR) and condition factor (K) of ninety specimens of Blackchin tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron cultured for six months in sheltered outdoor tanks were conducted. Initial measurements averaged 0.04 g for weight, while the total length averaged 1.17 cm. Fortnightly, measurements of length and weight gain were recorded over a period of six months. At the end of the experiment, the total length averaged 12.58 cm while the average body weight was 28.55 g. The growth equation for the population studied is Log W = 2.808Log L - Log 1.6117 where the growth factor b estimated showed a negative algometric growth. The average condition factor k was found to be 1.754 ~c 0.329 and there was a very strong positive correlation (r = 0.99) between the length and weight of individuals examined. The correlation coefficient (R2) was estimated to be 0.9974. The implication of the LWR parameters to rearing this species in a confined enclosure was highlighted