Growth and Gut Content of the Madeiran sardinella (Sardinella Maderensis) from Abonnema Creek, Rivers State, Nigeria

The growth and Food of Sardinella maderensis from Abonnema Creek was conducted to generate relevant data on the species. Length-weight measurements subjected to regression analysis revealed a negative allometric growth of (2.4767±0.0619). Fulton’s condition factor (k) was determined by the relationship k= W100/L3 , the fish condition factor was 2.2194±0.14903. Data obtained from the fish gut was analysed using point method and frequency of occurrence. The food found in the fish gut was ranked for importance using the index of food significance (IFS), The following were found in the gut of S mederensis: (Melosiraceae)Melosira distans, Melosira varians, Melosira italic, Melosira granulate, (Stephanodicaceae) Cyclotella comate, Cyclotella atomus, Cyclotella ocellata, Cyclotella opeculata, (Coscinodiscaceae) Cosinodiscus lacustris, (Pinnulariaceae) Pinularia sp, (Fragilariaceae) Synedria tabutata, Synadria ulna, Fragilaria venecens, Fragineria capusina, (Tabellariaceae) Tabellaria flocullosa. The study revealed that the most important food consumed by the bigger fishes (13.0 – 13.5cm) was Melosira distans (13.48) while the small group (9.0 – 12.0cm) was Synedria tabutata (10.89). The species was predominantly an algae feeder and would do well on moderate to low protein feed if held in captivity.