SPAWNING MIGRATION OF LABEOBARBUS SPP. (PISCES: CYPRINIDAE) OF LAKE TANA TO ARNO-GARNO RIVER, LAKE TANA SUB-BASIN, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The spawning migration of Labeobarbus species of Lake Tana to Arno-Garno River
was studied from July to December 2010. Five sampling sites, based on the nature, flow-rate of the
river, human interference and suitability for fish spawning were selected by preliminary survey.
Fish were sampled monthly in the non-peak spawning season (July, November and December) and
bimonthly in the peak spawning season (August to October) using 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 cm stretched
mesh size gillnets. A total of 1077 Labeobarbus specimens were collected. Labeobarbus intermedius, L.
brevicephalus, L. nedgia and L. tsanensis were the dominant species, contributing 93.03% of the total
catch. The monthly gonado-somatic index indicated that the peak spawning season for Labeobarbus
species was from August to October. Labeobarbus intermedius and L. tsanensis were the first species to
aggregate at the river mouth starting from July and L. brevicephalus and L. nedgia aggregate starting
from September. Labeobarbus intermedius was the first to migrate to the upstream sites starting from
the end of July followed by L. tsanensis. The last migrant species was L. brevicephalus starting from
the fourth week of August. Pairwise comparison of the Labeobarbus spp. showed temporal
segregation in all sampling months, except L. intermedius and L. brevicephalus that did not show
temporal segregation with L. nedgia. The best management option to protect these species is closed
season that should be strictly implemented during the spawning season (from July to October).