LIFE S C IENC ES GRO UP
vv
ISSN:
2455-8400
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17352/ijafs
Received: 29 May, 2020
Accepted: 16 June, 2020
Published: 17 June, 2020
Research Article
Comparison on some
biological aspects of
Labeobarbus intermedius
Rüppell 1835 and Labeo
forskalii Rüppell 1836 in Beles
and Gilgel Beles rivers, abay
basin, Ethiopia
*Corresponding author: Zeleke Berie, Gilgel Belese
teachers college, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia,
E-mail:
Keywords: Rivers; Beles; Gilgel beles; Length-weight
relationship; Fulton condition factor; Fecundity; Sex
ratio
https://www.peertechz.com
Zeleke Berie*
Gilgel Belese teachers college, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Abstract
Length-weight relationship, Fulton Condition Factor, Sex ratio and fecundity of Labeobarbus intermedius and Labeo forskalii of Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers were
studied. Fishes were sampled using gill nets of various stretched mesh sizes, and hooks and lines. A total of 548 Labeobarbus intermedius and Labeo forskalii fishs were
caught in Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers. Descriptive statistics was used to present the data. One way ANOVA was used to analyze the Fulton condition factor of fishes. The
length-weight relationships were curvilinear for L. forskalii and L. intermedius in both rivers. L. forskalii showed isometric growth while L. intermedius exhibited positive
allometric growth in Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers. L. forskalii and L. intermedius were found to be in better condition in both rivers (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Females were in
better condition than males in both rivers. L. forskalii had a better condition factor (FCF) in the dry than in the wet season (ANOVA, P < 0.05). However, L. intermedius had
better mean FCF in wet than in dry season (ANOVA, P > 0.05). Females were more numerous than males in the total sexed specimens. Absolute fecundity of L. intermedius
increased with an increase in fish size, and ranged from 1535 to 13864 with a mean of 3173 eggs. In general, L. forskalii and L. intermedius were found in better condition
in Gilgel Beles and Beles Rivers, respectively. Therefore, sustainable utilization and conservation measures should be taken in the two rivers.
Introduction
Background information
Although Ethiopia has high production potential and
diversity of fish fauna, satisfactory fishery investigations have
been carried out only in a few of the numerous freshwater bodies.
Substantial icthyofaunal information appeared in publication on
Biology, Limnology and Ecology of the commercially important
fish species in lakes and rivers: Lake Afdera [1], Lake Ziway ,
freshwater fish species in Ethiopia [7]. In addition, projects
of the Joint Ethio-Russian Biological Expedition (JERBE) and
the Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands have
explored the icthyofauna of Lake Tana and surrounding rivers
[8]. JERBE [9,10] also assessed fish diversity in Beles and Gilgel
Beles Rivers and found a total of 25 and 4 species of fishes,
repectively. Beles and its tributary Gilgel Beles rivers contain
large population of edible fish species. L. intermedius and L.
forskalii were the most abundant species on these rivers.
Lake Awassa [2], Lake Chamo Lake Hayq [3], Lake Tana [4,5],
As in many parts of the Ethiopia, human activities degrade
eco-regions, diversity and conservation of the freshwater fish
fish habitat in numerous ways in study area. Wild fire, logging,
fauna of Ethiopia [6] and introduction and transplantation of
impoundment, canalisation and agricultural activities are some
050
Citation: Berie Z (2020) Comparison on some biological aspects of Labeobarbus intermedius Rüppell 1835 and Labeo forskalii Rüppell 1836 in Beles and Gilgel
Beles rivers, abay basin, Ethiopia. Int J Aquac Fish Sci 6(2): 050-055. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-8400.000056
https://www.peertechz.com/journals/international-journal-of-aquaculture-and-fishery-sciences
of the major activities that degrade fish habitat. At present,
we have no evidence of species extinction from Ethiopian
freshwaters
resulting from degradation of environment.
One of the main reasons is a lack of definitive information
on icthyofauna. The territory of Ethiopia seems to be among
regions of the African continent which are least explored for
their icthyofauna [11]. Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers are flowing
to the lower course of Abay in which adequate attention has
not been given in the study of biology and economical potential
of the fish fauna due to the presence of some inaccessible
mountains and rugged geographical features. The absence of
fishery data on these rivers triggers the researcher to conduct
this study. Therefore, the study attempted to provide answers
to the following leading research question: What does the
biology (Reproduction, Condition Factor and Length- weight
relationship) of L. intermedius and L. forskalii look like in of
these rivers?
Table 1: Estimated distances from Gilgel Beles at Mender hullet, altitude and
coordinates of sampling sites.
Site
Code
Distance from
Mh
Elevation
(a.s.l)
Coordinate (GPS)
Gilgel Beles
at Mender hullet
Mh
-
1011 m
11O 09’ 53.5’’ N; 36O 20’
39.3’’ E
Gilgel Beles
at College
Coll
2 km
1007 m
11O 09’ 35.1’’ N ;
36O 20' 008’’ E
Beles at bridge
BB
6 km
994 m
11O 11’ 56.7’’ N ;
36 O 19’ 31.7’’ E
Beles at
Babizenda
BAB
156 km
596 m
11O 07’ 54.8’’ N ;
35O 28’ 13.6’’ E
The general objective of this study was to generate base line
scientific information/ data about fish biology of L. intermedius
and L. forskalii for management and sustainable utilization of
the resources, and recommend ways and means of conserving
the diversity of the icthyofauna of the Beles and Gilgel Beles
Rivers. Thus, the specific objectives of the study were to assess
length - weight relationship of L. intermedius and L. forskalii,
to compare the well - being of L. intermedius and L. forskalii
with respect to sex and season and asses sex ratio and estimate
fecundity of L. intermedius and L. forskalii.
Materials and methods
Site selection: A reconnaissance survey was conducted
together with the research advisor to fix sampling sites. The
survey was conducted in four sub areas along the Beles and
Gilgel Beles Rivers. Two sampling sites were selected from
each river taking into consideration the velocity of water,
habitat type, altitude, depth of water, vicinity to road and
substrate type (Table 1). These sub areas are namely; sub area
I (Gilgel Beles at Mender hullet), sub area II (Gilgel Beles at
College), sub area III (Beles at bridge) and sub area IV (Beles at
Babizenda) (Figure 1). Babizenda sampling site is located below
the confluence of the rivers.in Guba woreda.
Fieldwork: Three surveys were conducted to collect
specimens from the sampling sites. The samples were taken
in November, March and May. November and May were wet
months while March was dry month. Gill nets with 6 cm, 8
cm, 10 cm, 12 cm and 14 cm mesh sizes were used to collect
fishes. Monofilament gill nets were also used to collect juvenile
and smaller sized fishes. Multiple hooks and lines were used
in areas where gill nets were not suitable. The gill nets and
multiple hooks and lines were set using swimmers across the
river diagonally late in the afternoon (5:00 PM) and left in the
rivers for about 15 hrs, and retrieved in the next morning (8:00
AM). However, monofilament gill nets were set for an hour
during daytime.
Immediately after retrieval, fishes were removed and total
length and total weight of each specimen were measured.
Total length was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm and total
weight was measured to the nearest 0.1 g. After length and
weight measurement, each specimen was dissected and its sex
Figure 1: Map of Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers (un scaled) (FDROE, MOWR, 2000).
determined by inspecting the gonads. Then, specimens and
gonads of dominant species were preserved in 10 % and 5 %
formalin, respectively.
During fieldwork, beam balance, measuring board, buckets,
plastic bowls, collection bottles, strings, camera, syringe, GPS
and other materials were used when required.
Laboratory studies: The specimens were soaked in tap
water for a week to wash the formalin from the specimens.
Then, they were transferred to 75 % ethanol.
Data analysis: Generally, SPSS for Windows (version 10) and
MINITAB (version 14) were used to perform the calculations
and statistical analysis.
Length- weight relationship
The relationship between total length and total weight
was calculated using least squares regression analysis [12] as
follows:
TW = a * TLb
Where, TW = Total weight in grams
TL = Total length in centimeters
051
Citation: Berie Z (2020) Comparison on some biological aspects of Labeobarbus intermedius Rüppell 1835 and Labeo forskalii Rüppell 1836 in Beles and Gilgel
Beles rivers, abay basin, Ethiopia. Int J Aquac Fish Sci 6(2): 050-055. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-8400.000056
https://www.peertechz.com/journals/international-journal-of-aquaculture-and-fishery-sciences
a and b = intercept and slope of the equation, respectively.
Significance of the relationship was statistically tested
using ANOVA.
Condition factor
The well-being or plumpness was studied by calculating
Fulton condition factor [12,13]. Fulton condition factor (%) was
calculated as:
T
W
FCF= T
L
3
X100
Where, FCF= Fulton condition factor,
TW= Total weight in grams, and
TL= Total length in cms.
Estimation of sex ratio
Sex ratio (female: male) was calculated for total sample.
Chi-square test was employed to test if sex ratio varied from
1:1 in the total sample.
Fecundity
Fecundity is the measure of reproductive potential in
fishes. Absolute fecundity was estimated by the Gravimetric
method [14]. Three sub-samples of 1g eggs were taken from
different part of the ovary and counted, and an average of these
was calculated. Then, the total number of eggs per ovary was
calculated by extrapolation from the mean calculated. The total
number of eggs was estimated by the following formula:
X W
w
N
Where X = Total number of eggs to be calculated
total weight and total length, for L. intermedius and L. forskalii,
was curvilinear and statistically significant (ANOVA, P < 0.05)
(Table 2). The line fitted to the data was best described by the
regression equations shown in Table 2, and Figs. 2 and 3. In
fishes, the regression coefficient b = 3 describes isometric
growth. The value is exactly 3 if the fishes retain the same
shape and their specific gravity remains unchanged during
lifetime [15]. However, some fishes have value greater or
less than 3, a condition described as allometric growth [12].
From Table 3, Figures 3,4, it can be seen that L. forskalii in
Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers show isometric growth, i.e. the
weight of these fishes increases as the cube of length because
the b value is nearly 3. The b-value obtained in this study for
L. forskalii in Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers are close to the value
reported for L. forskalii in Sanja River [16] and L. horie from
Lake Chamo [17]. From Table 3, Figures 3,4, it can be seen that
L. intermedius in Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers show allometric
growth. The result obtained in this study for L. intermedius
in Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers were not in agreement with
Demeke Admassu and Elias Dadebo [2] for the species in Lake
Awassa, Wassie Anteneh [18] and Nagelkerke, et al. [8] for
Lake Tana and Genanew Tesfaye [16] for Angereb River and
Sanja Rivers. Observed differences in parameters b calculated
in the present study when compared with those obtained by
other authors are likely due to differences in the number of
specimens examined, differences in the utilized length ranges
300
L.forskalii
250
L.intermedius
200
r
e
b
m 150
u
N
100
50
N = Number of eggs counted in a sample of known weight
0
W = Total weight of all eggs
w = weight of the sample
Relation between fecundity and total length, total weight
and gonad weight were analysed using regression analysis.
Results and discussion
Length frequency distribution of L. intermedius and L.
forskalii
A total of 548 Labeobarbus Intermedius and Labeo forskalii
fishs were caught in Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers.L intermedius,
the most abundant species had a total length range of 10.6 cm
to 69.5 cm with a mean ± SD of 26.419 ± 7.563 cm. L. forskalii,
the second most abundant species had total length range of
10.2 cm to 44.7 cm with a mean ± SD of 26.951 ± 7.477 cm
length (Figure 2).
Some biological aspects of L. intermedius and L. forskalii
Length-weight relationship: The relationship between
< 21.9
22-33.9
34-43.9
Size classes(Cm)
44-53.9
>54
Figure 2: Length frequency distribution of L. intermedius (N=362) and L. forskalii
(N=186) from Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers.
Table 2: Length - weight relationship of L. intermedius and L. forskalii in Beles and
Gilgel Beles Rivers.
Fish species
Rivers
Beles
Regression
equation
r
P
Beles
L. forskalii
N
W = 0.005TL3.24 0.97 0.00s
226.0 +
114.1
26.77+
3.71
40
W =0.003TL3.36
252.1 +
391.7
26.38 +
7.91
322
217.6 +
177.7
26.03 +
8.68
96
240.5 ±
151.9
27.93 ±
5.82
90
L.intermedius
G. Beles
TW
TL
Mean ±SD Mean ± SD
0.97 0.00s
W = 0.007TL3.09 0.98
0.00s
G. Beles W = 0.0157TL2.86 0.97 0.00s
S- Significant
Table 3: Mean ± SD Fulton Condition Factor (FCF) for L. forskalii and L. intermedius
in Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers.
Species
Beles
Gilgel Beles
FCF Mean ± SD
N
FCF Mean ± SD
N
F
P
L. forskalii
0.9379 ± 0.14
96
0.9987 ± 0.11
90
10.32
0.002
L. intermedius
1.0970 ± 0.08
40
0.9971 ± 0.17
322
12.89
0.00
052
Citation: Berie Z (2020) Comparison on some biological aspects of Labeobarbus intermedius Rüppell 1835 and Labeo forskalii Rüppell 1836 in Beles and Gilgel
Beles rivers, abay basin, Ethiopia. Int J Aquac Fish Sci 6(2): 050-055. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-8400.000056
https://www.peertechz.com/journals/international-journal-of-aquaculture-and-fishery-sciences
or differing study seasons, food availability, feeding rate,
gonad development and spawning period [12].
Fulton Condition Factor (FCF): L. forskalii and L. intermedius
600
500
W = 0.005TL3.24
R2 = 0.9722
w eight (gm)
400
300
200
100
0
0
10
20
30
40
Total length (cm )
A.
800
700
W = 0.007TL3.09
R2 = 0.9811
Weight (gm)
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
0
10
20
30
Total length (cm )
40
50
B.
Weight (gm)
Figure 3: Length – weight relationship for A= L. intermedius and B = L. forskalii in
Beles River.
5000
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
W = 0.003TL3.36
R2 = 0.9697
20
40
60
80
Total length (cm )
C.
900
800
W = 0.0157TL2.86
R2 = 0.9661
700
W eight (gm)
Mean Fulton condition factor of L. forskalii was greater
in dry season than wet season (ANOVA, P < 0.05) (Table 5).
However, mean Fulton condition factor of L. intermedius
was greater in wet season than dry season (ANOVA, P > 0.05)
(Table 5). Demeke Admassu and Elias Dadebo [2] also found
insignificant variation (ANOVA, P > 0.05) in Fulton condition
factor for L. intermedius between dry and wet seasons in Lake
Awassa. However, Genanew Tesfaye [16] reported significant
variation (ANOVA, P < 0.05) for L. intermedius and L. forskalii
between dry and wet seasons in Sanja and Angereb Rivers.
The measure of fish condition can be linked to the general
fish health, fat and lipid content, prey or food availability,
reproductive potential, environmental conditions and water
level fluctuations. In general, high condition is associated with
higher energy (fat) content; increased food base, reproductive
potential, or more favorable environmental conditions [19].
For instance, better FCF of L. forskalii and L. intermedius in dry
and wet seasons respectively was associated with large ovarian
development. The low FCF of fishes of the rivers is probably
because of fluctuations in factors such as food quantity and
quality, water level, flow rate and temperature.
Reproductive biology
0
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
0
were found in better condition in Gilgel Beles and Beles Rivers,
respectively. Fulton condition factor values of L. intermedius
ranged from 0.93 to 1.23 in Beles River and 0.43 to 1.73 in Gilgel
Beles River. Fulton condition factor values of of L. forskalii
ranged from 0.79 to 1.26 in Gilgel Beles River and 0.49 to 1.29
in Beles River. There were significant differences in the mean
Fulton condition factor for both L. forskalii and L. intermedius
between Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers (ANOVA, P < 0.05) (Table
3). Females were found in better condition than males in both
Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers (Table 5). The difference in mean
Fulton condition factor for L. forskalii and L. intermedius was
insignificant both in Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers except L.
intermedius in Beles River (ANOVA, P > 0.05) (Table 4). Fulton
condition factor calculated for L. intermedius in Beles and
Gilgel Beles Rivers were comparable to those reported of L.
intermedius in Lake Awassa [2] and in Sanja River [16]. Fulton
fondition factor calculated for L. forskalii in Beles and Gilgel
Beles Rivers were close to the value reported for L. forskalii in
Angereb and Sanja Rivers [16].
10
20
30
40
50
Total length (cm)
D.
Figure 4: Length – weight relationship for C = L. intermedius and D = L. forskalii in
Gilgel Beles River.
Sex ratio: In general, females were more numerous
than males in the total sexed specimens (Table 6). The sex
proportions of each species were not significantly different
(Chi-square, P > 0.05) from the theoretical 1:1 ratio except
L. intermedius (Table 6). The imbalance was most probably
related to vulnerability of fish to gears. Increased vulnerability
of females by some gears due to increased ovarian development,
as suggested by Tayler and Villoso (1994), can be the cause for
the deviation from 1: 1 sex ratio.
Fecundity: Fecundity was determined in fish fork lengths of
18.4 to 46.7 cm, total body weights of 113 to 1215 gm and with
gonad weights of 3 to 68.3 gm. In 55 female L. intermedius,
fecundity varied from 1535 to 13864 with mean 3173 eggs (Table
7). Fecundity of L. intermedius increased with an increase in
fish size (Table 7). Fecundity of L. intermedius was linearly
related to total weight and gonad weight, and curvilinearly to
053
Citation: Berie Z (2020) Comparison on some biological aspects of Labeobarbus intermedius Rüppell 1835 and Labeo forskalii Rüppell 1836 in Beles and Gilgel
Beles rivers, abay basin, Ethiopia. Int J Aquac Fish Sci 6(2): 050-055. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-8400.000056
https://www.peertechz.com/journals/international-journal-of-aquaculture-and-fishery-sciences
fork length (Figure 5). The lines of best fit to the relationships
were described by the following regression equation:
Log eggs
Log eggs = 2.o6 Log FL + 0.6114 (R2 = 0.8492 )
F = 9.8138W + 497.35 (R2 = 0.8491)
F = 189.13Gw + 1095.8 ( R2 = 0.8807)
L. forskalii
L. intermedius
River
Females(FCF)
N
Males(FCF)
N
F
P
G. Beles
1.026 + 0.106
42
1.012 + 0.09
38
0.19
0.666
Beles
0.9699 + 0.13
39
0.930 + 0.15
46
1.56
0.215
G. Beles
0.990 + 0.148
180
0.98 + 0.20
115
0.15
0.699
Beles
1.145 + 0.055
16
1.05 + 0.108
16
7.92
0.009
Table 5: Mean ± SD Fulton condition factor (FCF) for L. intermedius and L. forskalli in
Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers during the two seasons (combined data).
Species
Season
L. forskalii
L. intermedius
N
FCF Mean ± SD
Wet
81
0.8993 ± 0.1265
Dry
105
1.0198 ± 0.1114
Wet
338
1.0107 ± 0.1712
Dry
24
0.9726 ± 0.1243
F
P
47.51
0
1.15
0.285
Table 6: Number of males, females and the corresponding sex ratios of fish species
of Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers (data from all sites pooled).
Species
Female
Male
Sex ratio
(F: M)
X2
P
L. forskalii
84
81
1:0.96
0.02
0.88
L. intermedius
196
131
1:0.67
12.92
0
1
Log FL
1.5
16000
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
2
F = 9.8138 W + 497.35
R2 = 0.8491
0
500
1000
1500
W
B.
Table 4: Mean ± SD Fulton condition factor (FCF) by sex for L. intermedius and L.
forskalii.
Fish species
0.5
A.
Number of Eggs
The information about fecundity of large Barbus fish species
in Africa is scarce [20]. There are few data on the fecundity of
Ethiopian large Barbus. The most recent studies and publications
were done these of Alekseyev, et al. [21] and Wassie Anteneh
[18] from Lake Tana and its tributaries. Compared to Lake Tana
Labeobarbus spp., a similar size of female L. intermedius in
Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers laid more eggs. The fecundity of
L. brevicephalus and L. truttiformis ranged from 1284 to 4563
and 1732 to 8134 eggs, respectively in Lake Tana [18]. The
average fecundity of the small (precocious) and big (normal),
‘intermedius’ was 4.6 thousand and 11.7 thousand eggs,
respectively in tributaries of Lake Tana (Gelda and Gumara
Rivers) [21]. Fecundity of Labeobarbus in other African lakes
is moderately high [22]. A 30 cm female L. aeneus in Orange
River drainage system carries about 30,000 eggs on average
Log F= 2.0548 FL + 0.6114
R2 = 0.8492
0
Nnumber of Eggs
Where Gw, W, FL and AF are gonad weight, body weight,
fork length and fecundity, respectively.
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
16000
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
F = 189.13Gw + 1095.8
R2 = 0.8807
0
20
40
60
80
Gw
C.
Figure 5: The relationship between (A) fecundity and fork length, (B) fecundity and
body weight, and (C) fecundity and gonad weight in L. intermedius.
but a similar size female L. intermedius in Beles and Gilgel
Beles Rivers lays about 4690 eggs. According to Oliva-Paterna,
et al. [23,24], fast growth, early maturity and high fecundity
are characterstics of unstable environment. Therefore, the
main cause for the above variations might be due to genetic or
habitat differences. Generally, the fecundity of L. intermedius
in Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers was strongly correlated with
their gonad weight, body weight and length. Similar result was
obtained by Alekseyev, et al. [20], in tributaries of Lake Tana.
Conclusions and recommendations
Conclusions
Table 7: Mean absolute and relative fecundity of L. intermedius in relation to fork
length.
Mean body Mean gonad Mean absolute Mean relative
Size class N Mean FL
weight (g) weight (g)
fecundity
fecundity
18.4-21.4
8
19.275
120.63
6.5
1918
16
21.5-24.4 19
21.226
161
6.789
2220
14
24.5-27.4 17
24.141
233.2
8.2
2809
12
27.5-30.4
3
28.167
390
14.67
3941
10
30.5-33.4
4
31.275
497.3
16.88
3786
8
>>33.5
4
40.6
963
43.1
10576
11
The length-weight relationships were curvilinear for L.
forskalii and L. intermedius in both Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers.
From length-weight relationship, L. forskalii showed isometric
growth in both Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers i.e. the weight
of these fishes increases as the cube of length because the b
value is nearly 3. However, L. intermedius exhibited positive
allometric growth in both Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers.
L. forskalii and L. intermedius were found in better condition
in Gilgel Beles and Beles Rivers, respectively. L. forskalii was
054
Citation: Berie Z (2020) Comparison on some biological aspects of Labeobarbus intermedius Rüppell 1835 and Labeo forskalii Rüppell 1836 in Beles and Gilgel
Beles rivers, abay basin, Ethiopia. Int J Aquac Fish Sci 6(2): 050-055. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-8400.000056
https://www.peertechz.com/journals/international-journal-of-aquaculture-and-fishery-sciences
found in better condition in Gilgel Beles River than Beles River
(ANOVA, P < 0.05). However, Mean Fulton condition factor for
L. intermedius was greater in Beles River than Gilgel Beles River
(ANOVA, P < 0.05). Females L. intermedius and L. forskalii were
found in better condition than males both in Beles and Gilgel
Beles Rivers. Mean Fulton condition factor of L. forskalii was
greater in dry season than wet season. However, Mean FCF of
L. intermedius was greater in wet than dry season. There was
significant difference in the mean FCF for L. forskalii between
dry and wet seasons in total catch (ANOVA, P < 0.05). However,
there was no significant variation in FCF of L. intermedius
seasons (ANOVA, P > 0.05).
Fecundity of L. intermedius was linearly related to total
weight and gonad weight, and curvilinearly to fork length in
the two rivers.
Recommendation
In order to have a better knowledge of biology and behaviour
of most of the species are still lacking. Therefore, further
studies are required on the biology and behaviour of fishes in
the study area. In addition, detailed studies and investigations
are required on diversity and abundance of fish species in
Abay basin in general and in Beles and Gilgel Beles Rivers in
particular, especially at the lower reaches of Beles River.
Acknowledgment
I thank the late Pro. Abebe Getahun & Dr. Eshetie Dejen for
there assistance and guidance throughout the course of this
study. Additionally, I thanks Amhara Regional Agricultural
Research Institute (ARARI) through its Bahir Dar FOALRC for
their assistance all logistic necessities for fieldwork.
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Copyright: © 2020 Berie Z. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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Citation: Berie Z (2020) Comparison on some biological aspects of Labeobarbus intermedius Rüppell 1835 and Labeo forskalii Rüppell 1836 in Beles and Gilgel
Beles rivers, abay basin, Ethiopia. Int J Aquac Fish Sci 6(2): 050-055. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-8400.000056