AN ASSESSMENT OF THE GROWTH RATE OF MPASA, OPSABIDIUM MICROLEPIS (GUNTHER, 1864) (PISCES: CRYPRINIDAE), BY LENGTH FREQUENCY ANALYSIS

Abstract

The mpasa, Opsaridium microlepis, is an important commercial species in areas of Lake Malawi near major inflowing rivers during annual spawning migrations. Plots of length frequency data collected over a series of years from mpasa catches in the Bua and North Rukuru Rivers show consistent peaks and these are believed to represent year classes. Growth in length is approximately linear, about 11 cm per year, until about five years of age. Males and females have similar growth rates.