International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies
2020, Vol. 8, Issue 5, Part A
Influence of environmental factors on migration patterns of Clarias gariepinus (BURCHELL, 1822) in Lake Edward watershed, Albertine Rift Valley, East Africa
Author(s): Mulongaibalu Mbalassa and Muderhwa Nshombo
Abstract: The study aimed to determine the environmental factors influencing
Clarias gariepinus migrations within Lake Edward watershed. 1,103
C. gariepinus were tagged seasonally with external T-bar Anchor tags and released at four estuarine sites between July 2011 and May 2012. Relocations of 115
C. gariepinus were determined between September 2011 and December 2013 within the lake watershed. Rainfall, water temperature, total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity were key environmental factors significantly (
p< 0.05) influencing both the migrations and spawning of
C. gariepinus. Two bimodal migration periods were detected, the first in April-May and August-October in wet season, was associated with upstream spawning migrations; and the second in June–July and December in dry season, and was associated with downstream migrations. The fisheries management strategies should take into consideration migration periods and the regular monitoring and evaluation of the hydrological cycle and water status of the lake and its adjacent hydrosystems.
Pages: 22-30 | 725 Views 124 DownloadsDownload Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Mulongaibalu Mbalassa, Muderhwa Nshombo. Influence of environmental factors on migration patterns of Clarias gariepinus (BURCHELL, 1822) in Lake Edward watershed, Albertine Rift Valley, East Africa. Int J Fish Aquat Stud 2020;8(5):22-30.
