Length weight relationship and body composition of male population of Oreochromis mossambica in relation to body size and condition factor

Abstract

Oreochromis mossambica is sampled from Nursery Unit, Muzffargarh, and Punjab, Pakistan with help of a drag net. Sample having 42 males with size range 13.2-16.6 cm and body weight range 44-95.22 gm. The samples are selected for analysis of external morphometry. There is positive correlation between wet weight and condition factor (r = 0.185). It has highly significant correlation with standard length (r = 0.908), head length (r = 0.808), body girth (r = 748), pectoral fin length (r = 0.698), pelvic fin length (r = 0.708), anal fin base (0.636) and caudal fin length (r = 566). All factors have positive correlation with wet body weight. Highly significant correlation is present between total length and wet body weight (r = 0.955) with standard length (r = 0.934), head length (r = 0.797), body girth (r = 0.669) and anal fin base (r = 643). Similarly, total length has positive correlations with dorsal fin length, dorsal fin base, pectoral fin base, pelvic fin base, anal fin length and caudal fin base. Total length shows inverse correlation with condition factor (r = 0.095).  It also has positive correlation with other external morphometric factors. Log total length has highly significant positive correlations with log body weight (r = 0.958), log standard length (0.930), log head length (r = 0.804), log body girth (r = 0.686), log pectoral fin base (r = 682), log pelvic length (r = 730), anal fin base (r = 0.634) and caudal fin base (r = 636). It has inverse correlation with the condition factor (r = 0.080).