OBSERVATIONS ON THE AGE AND GROWTH OF BRYCINLS NURSE (PAUGY 1986) - PISCES: CHARACIDAE IN ASA RESERVOIR, ILORIN, NIGERIA

摘要

A total of 1,190 specimens of Brycinus nurse (Paugy 1986) caught in Asa Reservoir from November 1991 to October 1993, were analyzed to determine the age and growth using scales and the integrated methods. Obtainable data from the observed, back calculated and Paulys integrated method indicated that the species attained 13.76cm, 15.49cm, 17.02cm, 17.87cm, 21.00cm and 23.00cm in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh year of life respectively. Values obtained from back calculated lengths were lower us compared to those of the observed lengths while those of integrated values were higher than the observed, although the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Average values of ultimate or asymptotic length (L) and the growth coefficient (K) of 27.67 and 0.66 respectively were obtained. The smallest specimen of B. nurse obtained measured 7.56CM