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The ecology of the catfish Clarias gariepinus and Clarias ngamensis in the Shire Valley, Malawi
Author(s) -
Willoughby N. G.,
Tweddle D.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1978.tb03936.x
Subject(s) - clarias gariepinus , catfish , biology , fecundity , clarias , marsh , ecology , fishery , abundance (ecology) , fish <actinopterygii> , wetland , population , demography , sociology
The ecology of two commercially important catfish species, Clarias gariepinus and C. ngamensis , was examined in the Elephant Marsh, southern Malawi. Abundance, distribution, and movements within the marsh system were studied. Growth rates were determined from rings on the vertebrae, with corroborative evidence from length frequency analyses and tagging studies. Breeding seasons, length and age at maturity, and fecundity were determined for both species. Stomach contents were examined and the food preferences of the two species were compared.