keywords: Challawa Gorge, condition factor, fish species, growth pattern, Kano state, Nigeria, reservoir
This study was conducted at the Challawa Gorge Reservoir, Kano, with the aim of assessing the growth pattern and condition factor of three fish species namely; Auchenoglanis occidentalis, Bagrus bayad and Schilbe mystus were examined using standard morhological data. A total of 209 samples of fish were obtained from local fishermen in the study area. The length-weight relationship revealed positive allometric growth pattern for A. occidentalis (b = 3.810, R2 = 0.919) and negative allometric growth for B. bayad (b = 2.306, R2 = 0.923) and S. mystus (b = 1.139, R2 = 0.916). The condition factor revealed that the average values obtained are ≥1 in all the fish species studied, thus indicating that the environment is good. This information is very useful for the development of management strategies that aimed at conserving these fish species.