Size Variation Survey of the Family of Cichlids in Lower River Benue

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the size variations of the family of Cichlids in lower river Benue. The fish samples were collected bimonthly in batches for a period of three months (September- November, 2023). A total of 120 fishes comprising 60 each of Tilapia zilli and Oreochromis niloticus were sampled from fishermen at the Wadata landing site during this period. The fish sampled were transported in an ice-parked plastic container to the Fisheries laboratory in order to keep the integrity of the sample intact prior to analysis. The species were identified using taxonomic keys and morphometric parameters recorded. The results obtained shows the parameters of Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia zilli as the cichlids species caught. The mean weight (53.70±3.13), mean length (14.09±0.28) and the mean standard length (11.13±0.24) of Tilapia Zilli was observed to be greater than the mean weight (43.01±2.17), mean length (12.83±2.0.21) and mean standard length (10.17±0.81) of Oreochromis niloticus. The results obtained reveals that the morphometry of Tillapia zilli is higher in their Morphometric measurements as compared to Oreochromis niloticus.  This study therefore provides valuable information on the morphological characteristics in relation to the body weight of these two Cichlids for the sustainable management of fisheries in Lower River Benue, Makurdi and Nigeria at large.