Biology of the marbled lungfish, Protopterus aethiopicus Heckel, in Lake Baringo, Kenya

Abstract

In this paper we provide life history characteristics for an introduced marbled lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) population in Lake Baringo, Kenya, including their length–weight relationship, body condition, fecundity, sex ratio, reproduction and food. These data are compared with those of other populations. Samples were obtained from the commercial fishery between January and October 2001. The lungfish exhibited positive allometric growth, with the length–weight relationship described by the equation: logW = −6.41 + 3.52 logTL. The mean relative condition factor was close to unity, did not vary much between months and was not significantly different between sexes. The overall sex ratio was skewed in favour of females. The size of fish at first maturity was 70–76 cm total length (TL) for females and 82–88 cm TL for males. Fish in maturity stages III–IV occurred in all monthly samples suggesting year round spawning. The marbled lungfish in Lake Baringo is largely piscivorous and its impact on other fishes certainly warrants further research.