The Assuan Labeo, or Labeo horei Heckel (Pisces: Cyprinidae), in Lake Chamo, Ethiopia: Reproductive Biology and Condition Factor

Abstract

The Labeo horei (Heckel, 1847), the Assuan labeo, is an ecologically and economically important fish of Lake Chamo; thus, reproductive biology and condition factors of the fish were investigated in order to provide information essential for appropriate stock exploitation and sustainable management. Fish specimens were collected monthly from sampling stations at Lake Chamo between July 2022 and January 2023. A total of 462 specimens were collected for analysis. The mean condition factor was 1.11, which indicates a good state of wellbeing in the habitat during the period of study. The overall male to female sex ratio (1: 0.83) did not deviate substantially from the anticipated value of 1:1 (x² = 3.82, P < 0.01). The fecundity of L. horei ranged from 200,000 to 1000,000 eggs and was found in mature ovaries (mean 261,045.8 eggs). These results confirm the suitability of Lake Chamo for the survival of L. horei. There is, however, a need for a systematic closed fishing regime to be employed in order to make way for sustainable growth of L. horei fisheries in the lake Chamo as the fish candidate for future aquaculture development.

Keywords: Breeding season, condition factor, fecundity, fishery, Labeo horei, Lake Chamo