Population parameters of African Carp, Labeo victorianus (Cyprinidae) in River Kuja- Migori, Kenya

Labeo victorianus is one of the fish species capable of sustaining commercial riverine fishing in the Lake Victoria basin. The present study was conducted to determine the growth, mortality rate, exploitation rate and recruitment pattern of Labeo victorianus in River Kuja-Migori, Kenya. Fish specimens were collected from January to December 2021 (12 months) using an electrofisher from five sampling stations along the River Kuja-Migori. The total length and total weight of fish samples were measured in centimeters and grams, respectively. Growth parameters, fishing mortality and natural mortality were determined using length frequency data. Electronic length frequency analysis (ELEFAN) software in Fish Stock Assessment Tools (FiSAT II) program was used to analyze data. Natural mortality (M), fishing mortality (F) and total mortality (Z) coefficients were 0.91 yr-1, 0.65 yr-1 and 1.56 yr-1, respectively. The exploitation rate was estimated at 0.42 yr-1. The asymptotic length (L∞) was 36.89 cm TL. The instantaneous growth rate (K) was 0.31 yr-1. There were two recruitment peaks where major recruitment occurred from March to June while a minor recruitment took place between September and November. Results revealed that L. victorianus exhibits a short lifespan of approximately 6 years. The present study contributes significantly to the development of management advice for the riverine fishery of L. victorianus.