ASPECTS OF THE BIOLOGY OF CASSAVA CROAKER FISH (PSEUDOTOLITHUS SENEGALENSIS) FROM JAJA CREEK, IKOT ABASI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA AKWA IBOM STATE

ABSTRACT Aspects of the biology of Pseudotolithus senegalensis was carried out in Jaja creek in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, between November to April, 2023. A total of four hundred (400) fish specimens were analyzed for sexual dimorphism, sex ratio, size distribution, gonad morphology, reproductive investment using gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and condition factor and determination of Length-weight relationship. Male and female were identified, results showed that the males were significantly more than the females with the ratio of 1:0.77 and was significant difference from the expected 1:1 ratio. The smallest fish examined was male with the total length of 13.9cm while the largest fish was male with the total length of 26.0 cm the male possess a pair of testes while the females possess a pair of ovaries. The GSI ranged from 0.08 to 8.13 and the HSI ranged from 0.08 to 4.66, K ranges from 0.63 to 1.08 respectively. The regression exponent showed that males were isometric; females negative allometric and combined sexes negative allometric. The r value obtained showed a strong linear relationship between the length and weight of the species. The Length-weight relationship showed allometric growth for the species. Jaja Creek seems to be polluted as the growth exponent and condition factor showed negative allometric growth pattern and less than one respectively. Hence proper monitoring of the ecosystem is recommended.