Length Weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Silver Catfish Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) from the Lower Reaches of the New Calabar River Niger Delta
The length weight relationship and condition factor of silver catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) from the lower reaches of the New Calabar River, Niger delta were evaluated between the months of July November, 2015. The lowest length frequency (1) through the months was estimated for class (81 85cm)(91 95cm) and (101 105cm) The modal length frequency (78) was estimated for class (36 35cm) The highest number of catch measured was in the month of September with 124 samples and the lowest number of catch was in November with 15 samples. The smallest sample in terms of length was 18.5cm and the longest was 101.0cm. In terms of weight: the largest fish weighed 13,000g, while the smallest was 150g. The lengthweight regression statistics was obtained using a software known as FISAT (FAO ICLARM STOCK) with the mean regression coefficient or length exponent as b=2.080 with range of 1.9797 2.1460. The condition factor index value range from 0.85 1.98(mean K=1.34) Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus exhibited negative allometric growth all through the months. There is a strong association between the length and weight which was in a good condition.