LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP AND FECUNDITY OF PARACHANNA OBSCURA (OPHIOCEPHALIFORMES: CHANNIDAE) IN OVIA RIVER, SOUTHERN NIGERIA

The African snakehead, Parachanna obscura (Gunther, 1861) is an important food fish in Nigeria and other West countries. To provide useful biological data for management, samples were collected monthly between January, 2011 December, from Ovia River Nigeria. Length-weight relationship (LWR), sex composition fecundity of the species investigated. total lengths ranged 12.8 to 45.7cm, while weights 12.0 838.1g. LWR had a significant correlation growth exponent (b) indicates isometric growth. ratio was 1:1.15 (male: female) not significantly different (p>0.05) expected 1:1 distribution. Absolute 346 4586 eggs with mean 2073±179 eggs. Mean absolute increased increasing length, body weight ovary weight. regressions on P. were: Log F = 0.370 + 2.45 logTL (r=0.267; P>0.05), 1.790 0.607 logBW (r 0.230; P>0.05) 1.960 1.602 logOW 0.536; P<0.001) respectively. Fecundity-ovary gave better comparison fecundity-total length fecundity-body relationships.