Assessment of Length-Weight Relationship of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus 1758) from Qua Iboe River Estuary, Southeastern, Nigeria

The Length-Weight Relationship (LWR) of Oreochromis niloticus from the Qua Iboe River Estuary was studied for 12 months; from April 2021-March 2022. Fish samples were collected from the catches of artisanal fisheries using various mesh sizes of gill and cast nets. The b values in males ranged from 2.25-3.08 with a mean of 2.7333   0.2743 while that of the females varied between 2.41 and 2.930 with a mean value of 2.7075  0.1804). The overall growth coefficient in the LWR (W=aLb) ranged from 2.25-3.08 with a mean value of 2.72±0.04. Both males and females recorded negative allometric growth, and the exponents were significantly less than isometric (p<0.05). Higher b values were recorded in males. There was no significant difference between the b-values of males and females (p> 0.05) during this study with the respective exponential relationships. These data indicated that the length-weight relationships were similar in both sexes during the study period. A higher b-value was recorded in the wet season but there was no significant difference (p> 0.05) between the dry (November-March) and wet season (April-October).This study provides the basic information which could enhance production potential of O. niloticus and its sustainable development, culture and management in Qua Iboe River Estuary,Nigeria.