Morphometric, Meristic and Conditional Factor Characterization of Redbelly Tilapia (Coptodon zillii) in Lake Komadugu, Yobe State, Nigeria

This research was carried out to study the morphological characteristics of Coptodon zillii from Lake Komadugu in Yobe State, Nigeria using morphometric measurements, meristic counts and length-weight relationship. A total of 60 specimens of Coptodon zillii were purchased from the fisher folks at landing site in Lake Komadugu, examined and analyzed for morphometric and meristic characterization. The results revealed that all the morphometric characters of C. zillii in Lake Komadugu varied whereas some meristic characters including mean number of rays on pectoral fin (8.00 ± 0.00), pelvic fin ray (5.00 ± 0.00), anal fin spine (3.00 ± 0.00), pelvic fin spine (1.00 ± 0.00) and number of lateral line (2.00 ± 0.00) were constant. A significant linear relationship was established and represented by the equation: W =0.008SL2.097 (r =0.6410 d.f. = 58) for male, W =0.001SL3.013 (r = 0.9600 d.f. = 58) for female. Mean condition factor which was not significantly different (p>0.05) showed that male C. zillii had 1.80 ± 0.27, female (1.92± 0.26) and pooled sex (1.86 ± 0.25). Findings of this study implies that C. zillii from Lake Komadugu are in good health. In conclusion, these findings are very useful in stock assessment, population dynamics, sustainable management and conservative measures of C. zillii in Lake Komadugu.