Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Biology of Oreochromis niloticus in a Polluted Canal

  • Published:
Ecotoxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the present investigation, length–weight relationship, condition factor, age, growth, mortality, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and fecundity of tilapias (Bolti in Arabic): Oreochromis niloticus, from Shanawan drainage canal (SDC), Al-Minufiya Province, Egypt, were studied. This was carried out on 162 fish samples collected during the period from April 1992 to May 1993. Oreochromis niloticus was found to attain sexual maturity early (8–9 cm), was more fecund (1,234–3,893) and has high mortality rates (91% for males and 94% for females). A comparison of the various parameters of O. niloticus from SDC with those of other authors in different localities and times in Egypt revealed year-to-year and geographically significant differences in relation to variation in weight with length, condition factor, fecundity, growth and mortality rates. These differences were discussed and were found to be attributed to the effect of eutrophication and pollution on the growth, age and other biological aspects of O. niloticus. Multiple regression analysis showed that only female GSI correlated significantly with pesticides and heavy metals contamination.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akel, E.H.Kh. (1989). Effect of water pollution on Tilapia population in Lake Mariut. M.Sc., thesis, Fac. Sci., Alexandria Univ., Egypt.

    Google Scholar 

  • APHA (American Public Health Association). (1992). In E. Greenberg, L.S. Clesceri and A.D. Eaton (eds), Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 18th edn. Washington, DC: APHA, WEF & AWWA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Zahaby, A.S., El-Agamy, A.E. and Abd El-Gawad, A.M. (1981). Fecundity of Tilapia nilotica in Lake Manzalah. Res. Bull. No. Fac. of Agric., Zagazig Univ., Egypt 282, 1-7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alne-na-ei, A.A. (1986). A bio-ecological study on some fish species in Alrayah Almenofi. M.Sc Thesis, Zool. Dept., Fac. Sci., Almenofeya Univ., Egypt, 138 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Authman, M.M.N. (1990). Studies on some biological aspects of Bagrus bayad (Family: Bagridae) from Bahr Shebeen Canal. M.Sc Thesis, Zool. Dept., Fac. Sci., Menoufia Univ., Egypt, 169 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Authman, M.M.N. (1998). A study on freshwater pollution and its effects on zooplankton and fish Oreochromis niloticus in Shanawan drainage canal at Almay, Al-Menoufeya Province, Egypt. Ph.D thesis, Zool. Dept., Fac. Sci., Al-Menoufeya Univ., Egypt, 509 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azim, M.E. (1974). Biological studies on Tilapia nilotica L. and Tilapia galilaea Art. in Lake Nasser. M.Sc, Fac. Sci., Alexandria Univ., Egypt, 172 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagenal, T.B. (1960a). The fecundity of English Channel plaice (Flat fish). J. Mar. Biol. Assoc., UK 39, 249-54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagenal, T.B. (1960b). The fecundity of plaice from the south and west coast of Ireland. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc., UK 39, 255-62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakhoum, S.A. (1994). Comparative study on length-weight relationship and condition factor of the genus Oreochromis in polluted and non-polluted parts of Lake Mariut, Egypt. Bull. Nat. Inst. Oceanogr. & Fish., A.R. Egypt 20, 201-10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakhoum, S.A. and Faltas, S.N. (1994). The influence of water pollution upon the growth performance of Oreochromis aureus (Steind.) in Lake Mariut, Egypt. Bull. Nat. Inst. Oceanogr. & Fish., A.R. Egypt 20(1), 275-83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balon, E.K. (1979). The juvenilisation process in phylogeny and the altricial precocial forms in the ontogeny of fishes. Environ. Biol. Fish 4, 97-101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balon, E.K. (1981). Saltatory processes and altricial to precocial forms in the ontogeny of fishes. Am. Zool. 21, 573-96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bishara, N.F. (1973). Studies on the biology of Tilapia species in some Lakes in UAR. Ph.D. Thesis, Fac. Sci., Cairo Univ., Egypt, 632 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boddeke, R. and Hagel, P. (1995). Eutrophication, fisheries, and productivity of the North Sea continental zone. In N.B. Aramantrout (ed.), Theme 1 of the Proceedings of World Fisheries Congress, pp. 290-315. New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dethlefsen, V. and Tiews, K. (1985). Review on the effects of pollution on marine fish life and fisheries in the North Sea. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 1, 97-118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickerson, B.R. and Vingard, G.L. (1999). Effects of high levels of total dissolved solids in Walker Lake, Nevada, on survival and growth of lahontan cutthroat trout. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 128, 507-515.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, W.J. and Massey, F.J. Jr. (1983). Introduction to Statistical Analysis. London: McGraw-Hill, 678 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Bolock, A.R. and Koura, R. (1961). The age and growth of Tilapia galilaea (Art.), Tilapia nilotica (L.) and Tilapia zillii (Gerv.), from Beteha area (Syrian region). Notes & Memoires No. 59, Hydrob. Dept. Inst. of Freshwater Biology, Gizira, Cairo, UAE, (Egypt), 27 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Rayis, A.O. and Saad, M.A.H. (1985). Concentration of Cu, Cd, Zn, Fe, and Mn in the Nile River water and its contribution to the Mediterranean. J. Etud. Pollut. CIESM 7, 45-52.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Shazly, A.A. (1993). Biological studies on four cichlid fishes (Tilapia nilotica, Tilapia galilae, Tilapia zillii, Tilapia aurea) in Lake Mariut. M.Sc Thesis, Zool. Dept., Fac. Sci., Zagazig Univ., Egypt, 137 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Zarka, S., Shaheen, A.H. and Aleem, A.A. (1970). Tilapia fisheries in Lake Mariut. Age and growth of Tilapia nilotica (L.) in the Lake. Bull. Inst. Oceanogr. & Fish., Egypt. 1, 149-82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elewa, A.A. and Authman, M. (1991). Limnological studies on Bahr Shebeen Canal, El-Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Bull. Fac. Sci., Zagazig Univ., Egypt 13(2), 470-80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ezzat, A.A., Dowidar, N.M. and Hosny, C.F. (1990). Length-Weight relationships and condition of tilapias in Lake Manzalah, Egypt. Proc. Int. Symp. on Biol. and Culture of Tilapias Alex, Egypt. pp. 141-70.

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO. (1992). Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa. Report of the third session of the Working Party on Pollution and Fisheries. Accra, Ghana, 25–29 November 1991, FAO Fisheries Report. No. 471, FAO. 43 p.

  • Hasan, A.H. and Thomas, G.H. (1993). Effect of some pollutants in the lake proper water (Mariut) on its fish production. Bull. High Inst. Publ. Health, Alexandria, Egypt 23(4), 845-62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hosny, C.F. (1987). Studies on fish population in Lake Manzalah. Ph.D Thesis, Fac. Sci., Alexandria Univ., Egypt.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, N.P.E. and Bruton, M.N. (1992). Alternative life-history traits associated with reproduction in Oreochromis mossambicus (Pisces: Cichlidae) in small water bodies of the eastern Cape, South Africa. Environ. Biol. Fish. 34, 379-92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khallaf, E.A. (1992). Evaluation of the fisheries of Oreochromis niloticus in Bahr Shebeen Canal—Nile Delta, Egypt. J. Egypt. Germ. Soc. Zool., Egypt. 7(B), 27-44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khallaf, E.A. and Alne-na-ei, A.A. (1993). Feeding ecology of Barbus bynni (Forskal) from Bahr Shebeen Nilotic Canal. Arch. Hydrbiol./Suppl. 90(4), 575-87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khallaf, E.A., Latif, A.F.A. and Alne-na-ei, A.A. (1986). Reproduction of Tilapia nilotica and T. zillii in a Nile Canal and its interaction with the environment. Delta J. Sci., Tanta Univ. Press, Tanta, Egypt 10, 724-47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khallaf, E.A., Galal, M. and Authman, M. (1994). A study of pesticides residues in Oreochromis niloticus (L.) muscles from a Nile drainage canal. J. Egypt. Ger. Soc. Zool., Egypt 15(A), 491-508.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khallaf, E.A., Galal, M. and Authman, M. (1995). A study of the seasonal variation of pesticides contamination in a Nile Drainage canal water, and their subsequent occurrence in some Oreochromis niloticus organs. In Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference, Environmental Protection is A Must, 25–27 April 1995. pp. 89-120. Alexandria, Egypt: National Institute of Oceanography & Fisheries.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khallaf, E.A., Galal, M. and Authman, M. (1998). Assessment of heavy metals pollution and their effects on Oreochromis niloticus in aquatic drainage canals. J. Egypt. Ger. Soc. Zool., Egypt. 26(B), 39-74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lagler, K.F., Bardack, J.E., Miller, R.R. and Passino, D.R.M. (1977). Ichthyology 2nd edn., New York: John Wiley, 506 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Latif, A.F.A. and Khallaf, E.A. (1987). Growth and mortality of Tilapia species in Lake Nasser. Sc. J. of Fac. Sci., Almenofeya Univ., Shebeen Alkoom, Egypt 1(1), 34-53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Latif, A.F.A., Khallaf, E.A. and Alne-na-ei, A.A. (1989). Effect of selectivity of trammel nets upon growth and mortality of two Tilapia species. Bull. Inst. Oceanogr. & Fish., A.R. Egypt 15(2), 253-60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Cren, E.D. (1951). The length-weight relationship and seasonal cycle in gonad weight and condition in the perch (Perca fluviatilis). J. Anim. Ecol. 20(2), 201-19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lein, G.M. and DeVries, D.R. (1998). Paddlefish in the Alabama River Drainage: population characteristics and the adult spawning migration. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 127, 441-54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowe-McConnell, R.H. (1975). Fish Communities in Tropical Fresh Waters: Their Distribution, Ecology and Evolution, London: Longman, 337 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowe-McConnell, R.H. (1987). Ecological Studies in Tropical Fish Communities, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahdi, M.A., Rafail, S.Z. and Al-Kholy, A.A. (1973). Biological studies on Sudanese inland fishes. II. Tilapia nilotica Linnaeus. Bull. Inst. Oceanogr. & Fish., A.R. Egypt. 3, 257-74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meien, V.A. (1927). Observations on the yearly variations of the ovaries in the perch (perca fluviatilis L.) Russk. Zool. 7, 4p.

  • Mekkawy, I.A.A., Mohamad, S.H., Abass, F.F. and Okasha, S.A. (1994). Some biological aspects of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Lake Nasser, Egypt and the effect of lake impoundment. Bull. Fac. Sci., Assiut Univ., Egypt. 23(2-E), 101-42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nikolsky, G.V. (1963). The Ecology of Fishes, London: Academic Press, 352 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noakes, D.L.G. and Balon, E.K. (1982). Life histories of tilapias: An evolutionary perspective. In R.S.V. Pullin and R.H. Lowe-McConnell (eds), The Biology and Culture of Tilapias. ICLARM Conference Proceedings 7, pp. 61-82. Manila, Philippines: International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitcher, T.J. and Macdonald, P.D.M. (1973). A numerical integration method for fish population fecundity. J. Fish. Biol., 5, 549-553.

    Google Scholar 

  • Redding, T.A. and Midlen, A.B. (1990). Fish production in irrigation canals, A review. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper. No. 317, Rome: FAO, 111 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricker, W.E. (1975). Handbook of computations and interpretations of biological statistics of fish production. Bull. Fish. Res. Board of Canada 191, 382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robitaille, J.A., Fortin, R., Vigneault, Y., Ouellette, G. and Langlois, C. (1995). Man-made changes to the St. Lawrence River, Canada, since 1945 and their impact on fish and fisheries. In N.B. Aramantrout (ed.), Theme 1 of the Proceedings of World Fisheries Congress, pp. 243-61. New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleh, H.H. (1980). Absorption of 45-CaCl2, 203-HgCl2 and 14C-labelled DDT by Tilapia zillii Gerv. in fresh and salt water. Ves Journées tud. pollution, Cagliari: C.I.E.S.M, pp. 621-26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scopettone, G.G. and Rissler, P. (2000). Reproductive longevity and fecundity associated with nonannual spawning in Cui-ui. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 129, 658-69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shalloof, K.A.S. (1991). Biological studies on Tilapia species in the middle region of Manzalah Lake. M.Sc Thesis: Zool. Dept., Fac. Sci., El-Mansoura Univ., Egypt. 244 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sindermann, C.J. (1979). Pollution associated diseases and abnormalities of fish and shell fish. A review. Fish. Bull. NOAA./NMFS 76, 717-49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sindermann, C.J. (1990). Principal Diseases of Marine Fish and Shellfish. Vol. 1 Diseases of Marine Fish 2nd edn., New York: Academic Press, 521 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R.R. and Rohlf, F.J. (1981). Biometry. The Principals and Practice of Statistics in Biological Research, San Francisco: W.H. Freeman & Co., 859 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soliman, F.M. (1981). Studies on some endemic and acclimatized economic fishes in a newly man-made Wadi El-Rayan Lake, Al-Fayoum, Western desert of Egypt. Ph.D Thesis, Fac. Sci., Cairo Univ., Egypt. 186 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Talling, J.F. and Talling, T.B. (1965). The chemical composition of African Lakes waters. Int. Rev. Ges. Hyd. 50(3), 421-63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tharwat, A.A. (1995). Biological and ecological studies on fishery resources of the River Nile. Ph.D Thesis, Fac. Agricult., Cairo University, Egypt. 215 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • US Environmental Protection Agency. (1997). Special report on environmental endocrine disruption: An effects assessment and analysis, EPA/630/R-96/012.

  • US EPA. (1999). Water quality criteria; notice of availability, 1999 update of ambient water quality criteria for ammonia. Federal Register 64(245) 1999/Notices.

  • US EPA. (2000). Drinking water standards and health advisories. Office of Water. US EPA 822-B-00-01.

  • Welcomme, R.L. (1985). River fisheries. FAO Fisheries Technical paper. 262, 330 p.

  • Wildhaber, M.L., Alert, A.L., Schmitt, C.J., Tabor, V.M., Mulhern, D., Powell, K.L. and Sowa, S. (2000). Natural and anthropogenic influences on the distribution of the threatened Neosho madtom in a Midwestern Warmwater Stream. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 129, 243-61.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Minufiya University, Shebeen Al-Koom, Egypt

    Elsayed A. Khallaf, Mansour Galal & Mohammad Authman

Authors
  1. Elsayed A. Khallaf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mansour Galal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohammad Authman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elsayed A. Khallaf.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Khallaf, E.A., Galal, M. & Authman, M. The Biology of Oreochromis niloticus in a Polluted Canal. Ecotoxicology 12, 405–416 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026156222685

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026156222685

Search

Navigation