LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP AND CONDITION FACTOR OF BARBUS ' 0CCIDENTALIS (CYPRINIDAE) IN RIVER UKE, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

The knowledge of some quantitative aspects of fish such as length-weight relationship and condition factor,studies is an important tool for the study 'of fishery biology. The fish samples were purchased from the landings of fisherfolks of River Uke using fishing gears such as cast nets, traps, hook and line three times monthly from March to August 2017 covering the rainy and dry season. The total length and weight of 219 Barbus occidentalis obtained from River Uke were examined. The weight of Barbus occidentalis sampled ranged from 15.0-996.9g and was , determined to the nearest O.lg using electronic weighing balance model BL20001. The total length of was 10.7-43.5cm were recorded .using meter rule to the nearest 0.1 cm. The length and weight relationship of Barbus occidentalis showed positive correlation (r=0.858) in both sex. The regression exponent (b<3) showed negative allometric growth pattern. The mean condition factor (K) was (1.079) in both sexes which showed that the condition and the well being of a Barbus occidentalis was good in River Uke. This may be attributed to the availability of food materials and good physicochemical parameters of the River.