Feeding Ecology and Reproductive Biology of some Economically Important Fish Species in the Tono Reservoir, Ghana

Abstract

The study of feeding ecology and reproductive biology ensures that the right management measures are applied for best output of fish stocks. Selection of good fish species for culture is also made possible through feeding and reproductive studies. Ghana over-relies on the culture of Nile tilapia and African catfish because there is no reliable scientific information on potential fish species that can be included for fish farming. The current study sought to investigate food habits and reproductive characteristics of economically important fish species in the Tono Reservoir of Northern Ghana. Monthly sampling was carried out from January, 2015 to December, 2016 (24 months). Specimens were obtained using cast net and gillnets of varying mesh sizes. Specimens were immediately transported to the laboratory in a chilled iced chest of temperature 4 for morphometric measurements and microscopic analysis of gut content and gonads. Thirty-three (33) individual food items were identified from all the fish species. Phytoplankton was the most important diet (Index of Relative Importance, IRI = 1923) whereas zooplankton was the least important diet (IRI = 35) out of the five major categories of food items identified from all the fish species. The major peaks of gonadosomatic index (GSI) of females were noted in February – March and June – July. Over 80 % variation of fecundity was explained by the predictors (standard length, fish weight and gonad weight) for Clarias gariepinus and Auchenoglanis occidentalis. All the fish species were classified as omnivores and they spawned more than once in a year making all of them good candidates for aquaculture. Management measures should focus on regulating agricultural activities close to the reservoir and fishing activities in the reservoir for sustainable fish production and exploitation.