SEX RATIO

This study examined the length-weight relationship, Fulton's k-factor, and sex ratios of Chromidotilapia guentheri and Malapterurus electricus from October 2023 to March 2024. The study was carried out in Ikpoba River, Benin City. The Overall mean values for total length (TL), standard length (SL), head length (HL), body depth (BD), weight, and k-factor for Chromidotilapia guentheri during the sampling period were 26.0cm, 20.3cm, 7.1cm, 8.2cm,106.4g, and 3.8725, respectively. The Overall mean values for TL, SL, HL, BD, weight, and k-factor Malapterurus electricus during the sampling period were 32.9cm, 28.0cm, 8.5cm, 5.3cm, 139.2g, and 4.5710, respectively. The sex ratios of C. guentheri were 0.4:0.6, indicating a higher number of females, M. electricus were 1:00.8, indicating a higher number of males. C. guentheri had a mean k-factor ranging from lower than 1.61 in November to higher than 2.26 in March, while M. electricus ranged from lower than 0.94 in January to higher than 10.4 in March. The regression coefficients were less than 3 (b<3) for both species, indicating a negative allometric growth, meaning that the fish become slimmer/less weighty with increasing. The knowledge of these species is important for proper management of fishery resources and increase knowledge on understanding the species and other related fish.