Age, Morphology, Reproduction and Feeding Habits of Two Strains of Auchenoglanis Occidentalis (Valenciennes, 1840) from Lakes Bangweulu and Tanganyika, Zambia

Abstract

Due to inadequate published information, this study addressed the knowledge gap in reproductive biology, feeding habits, and morphology of Auchenoglanis occidentalis in order to provide basic biological data for domestication in Zambia. One hundred and thirty two (132) fish were sampled from Lakes Bangweulu and Tanganyika in Zambia with males having total length of 390.5±11.0mm and 400.9±23.0mm respectively while females had total length of 380.55±52mm and 390.80±43mm. Total length was a significant (p<0.05) predictor of fecundity, gonadosomatic index, maturity and age with mean age of 1 year. The presence of Diptera insect larvae and blood worms (Chironomous midge) in the diets of this species suggests the need for a high protein formulated aquaculture diet. The higher absolute mean fecundity of 8066.3±926.3 than tilapias suggests the need for adequate facilities for incubating eggs. Results of this study show that the fish is a good species for domestication and brood stock from Lakes Tanganyika and Bangweulu are recommended for culture.