• BINDULEKHA D S

Abstract - The Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, was the first tilapia species spread at a global scale for aquaculture purposes. In this study, we examined the length-weight relationship and condition factor of tilapia living in two different natural habitats in Southern Kerala. The values of constants ‘a’ and ‘b’ (growth exponent) were determined from the length and weight data which transformed into the linear equation of log W= log a + b log L. These parameters were then fitted to the exponential equation W = aLb. Based on this equation, the same species in two different sampling sites shows negative allometric growth pattern. Similarly, the condition factors of the fish species sampled from two different locations revealed that the fish species in both lakes showed good condition. The study further indicated that the values of b and K of O. mossambicus living in Vellayani Lake were higher than those from Veli Lake probably because Vellayani Lake habitat provides more suitable environment and better food supply for tilapia than Veli Lake.

Length-weight relationship, Condition factor, Growth Pattern, Cube Law, Oreochromis mossambicus

"Length-weight relationship and Fulton's condition factor of Oreochromis mossambicus from Vellayani Lake and Veli Lake in Southern Kerala", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 6, page no.307-312, June-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1806168.pdf

"Length-weight relationship and Fulton's condition factor of Oreochromis mossambicus from Vellayani Lake and Veli Lake in Southern Kerala", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 6, page no. pp307-312, June-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1806168.pdf