Reproduction frequency,growth forms, growth performance indices, condition factors and natural mortality of red claw crayfish (Cherax quandricarinatus, von martens, 1868) in the kafue flood plain fishery,zambia.

Abstract

The research was conducted from the Kafue Floodplain Fishery because it is a World-recognised Ramsar-designated site that has diverse ecological habitats that are rich in fish biodiversity. Crayfish were sampled from Kafue Road Bridge and Chanyanya. A total of 462 C. quadricarinatus samples were collected from the Kafue Floodplain Fishery between November and December, 2022. Traps, locally called Kamono, were used to collect Crayfish. Length-weight relationships were determined by linear regression in Microsoft Excel to determine growth rates, r2, and allometric growth forms. Reproduction frequencies of the sampled Crayfish were determined using length-frequency histograms. The growth performance indices, Condition factors and natural mortality parameters were determined from the linear regression of the length-weight relationship. The results showed that Crayfish is a multiple spawner and it has a sex ratio of 2:1. The growth performance indices ranged between 4.3 to 4.9. All samples exhibited negative growth forms. Natural mortality coefficients were less than 1.0 and the Condition factors were all above 1, suggesting good adaptability to the habitat at Lake Kariba.