LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP AND CONDITION FACTOR FOR THREE EXPLOITED SYMPATRIC CICHLIDS INHABITED MARGINAL LAGOONS OF THE SOUTH-EAST OF COTE DIVOIRE, WEST AFRICA

This study investigated the length-weight relationships (LWRs) and condition factors (K) of three Cichlids viz., Sarotherodonmelanotheron, Coptodonguineensis and the hybrid Coptodonguineensis x Coptodonzillii in three small lagoons invaded by macrophytes from the South-east of Cote dIvoire. Fishes were caught monthly from September 2017 to August 2019 using traps, gill nets, harpoons and hawks. Standard length and weight of individuals were taken to the nearest 1 mm and 0.1 g respectively. A total of 721, 932and 755 specimens were collected respectively in Ono, Kodjoboue and Hebe lagoons. For all species, two size classes namely sizes of 7-12 cm and 14-29 cm were encountered. About 65-70% of individuals have sizes varying from 14 cm to 20 cm vs. 20-25% of individuals with size ranging between 7 and 10 cm. The growth patterns were significant with a coefficient of determination (r²) varying from 0.89 to 0.98. The slope values were 2.88-2.97 for S. melanotheron, 2.84-2.85 for C. guineensis and 2.90-2.98 for hybrids, with a significant variation according to sexes and localities. The condition factor showed the range of 3.96 ± 0.61 to 4.25 ± 1.97, indicating that despite being invaded by several macrophytes, the environment of these lagoons is well suitable for Cichlids.