Reproductive Biology of Bagrus bayad (Forskal, 1775) from Jibiya Dam of Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

Investigation on the Reproductive Biology of Bagrus bayad in Jibiya Dam from Katsina State, Nigeria was carried out from July – December 2019 using standard procedures. One hundred and sixteen (116) samples of B. bayad were harvested and collected during the study period in order to determine sex ratio, fecundity and Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) of the fish species. Results indicated that the male:female sex ratio was 1.3:1 which was not significantly different from the hypothetical 1:1 (p>0.05). It was also found that the GSI of B. bayad was highest in July (0.23) and lowest in October (0.12). The relationship between fecundity and ovary weight was positively significant (p<0.05). Similarly, there was a significant positive relationship between fecundity and body weight as well as between ovary weight and age (p<0.05). However, no significant relationship was found between ovary weight and body weight, body weight and age and between fecundity and age (p>0.05). It is recommended that comparative study on the stages of maturity of male and female B. bayad in Jibiya Dam be investigated.