Length-Weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Three Endemic and Threatened Freshwater Fishes from Orontes River

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine length weight relationships and condition factors of three threatened species, Albumus orontis (31), Capoeta barroisi (95) and Chondrostoma kinzelbachi (53), inhabiting Orontes River within Turkish boundaries. Individuals were obtained by electrofishing. Length-weight relationships were found to be W=0.001TL(2.555) (R-2=0.838), W=0.0078TL(2.942) (R-2=0.974) and W=0.005TL(2.769) (R-2=0.831) for all individuals of A. orontis, C. barroisi and C. kinzelbachi, respectively. A negative allometric growth (b<3) was observed for A. orontis whereas it was isometric (b=3) for C. barroisi and C. kinzelbachi. Calculation of average Fulton's condition factors resulted as 0.404 for A. orontis, 0.722 for C. barroisi and 0.629 for C. kinzelbachi. Average relative condition factors of these species were found to be 1.021, 1.041 and 1.055, respectively. This study is the first reference on length-weight parameters of A. orontis and C. kinzelbachi.