SOMATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF AN AUSTRALIAN POPULATION OF OREOCHROMIS-MOSSAMBICUS (PISCES, CICHLIDAE)

The Oreochromis mossambicus population of North Pine Dam, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia was studied over three years, from 1985 to 1988. Basic somatic data were obtained and characteristic values of condition factor, sex ratio, gonosomatic index and the relationships between total and standard lengths, and length and weight, were calculated. Standard length is proportional to total length by the formula SL = -0.321 + 0.799 TL. Weight is related to length by the isometric formula W = aL3. Condition factor values spanned the range 0.0254 to 0.0563, with an average of 0.04078 for males and 0.03877 for females. The sex ratio is 1: 1 until maturity is reached (21 cm SL), at which time the catch rate of the sexes varies due to divergent habitat selection behaviour. Average values of gonosomatic index, considered in relation to maturity classification, are similar to those obtained from other populations, however maximum values are generally much lower, at 0.47 for males and 3.62 for females. These characteristic values are compared, with varying degrees of concordance, with those for populations of this species in other countries. © 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers.