Reproduction of the North American blackbass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacépède), in an equatorial lake, Lake Naivasha, Kenya

Abstract

. In contrast to its North American relatives, the Lake Naivasha blackbass, Micropterus saimoides (Lacepdde) has a prolonged spawning season of 8 months between June and January, peaking in August to November. This season is characterized by the presence of high numbers of mature fish with the highest gonadosomatic index (GSI). Analysis of GSI variations in different length-classes reveals that maximum reproduction occurs in the 30-34.9-cm length-class in males and 40-44.9-cm in females. Analysis of the GSI values in the different sampling stations identifies two stations as the breeding areas of M. salmoides in the lake.

The positive correlation between the GSI and the stomach fullness index suggests that the species probably feeds all year round, including the spawning season. Fifty per cent of males and females are mature at 25-29.9-cm and 30-34.9-cm length-classes respectively. The fecundity of fish of 28.4 cm (371 g) to 33 cm (550g) ranged from 1300 to 3524 with a mean of 2203 eggs. Fecundity had no relationship with body length but increased linearly with body weight.