The Biology Of Lates Niloticus (Linnaeus) In The Nyanza Gulf Of Lake Victoria (kenya) With Special Reference To The Food And Feeding Habits.

Abstract

The results of biological studies on Lates niloticus from the Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria carried out between August 1981 - July 1982 are reported. L. niloticus was found to be ubiquitous in the gulf. The post larvae were confined to the inshore regions in the gulf, particularly in well-vegetated areas. With increasing size of fish,however, the distribution extended further offshore: though fish of over 80 cm total length were relatively evenly distributed both inshore and offshore. An attempt was also made to estimate the yield of the species and the fluctuations in relation to different depths in the gulf. It was generally observed that the fishery was concentrated more between depths of 12-15.9 metres where peak catches of up to 502 kg/hr were realized. No direct evidence for establishing age and growth rates was obtained. .Mean condition factor- tends to increase with size The regression coefficients for length-weight relationships of both sexes were found to be similar in fish of the same size.