Some Aspects of the Biology og Kuhe, Boulengerochromis Microlepis, in the Kigoma Region, Eastern Coast of Lake Tanganyika

Abstract

Beach-seining surveys were carried out over a period of four years (from June 1984 to March 1987) in the littoral zone of the eastern coast of Lake Tangayika. The total catch from 147 hauls of the beach-seines was 3.1 tons and Kuhe, Boulengerochromis microlepis, accounted for 8.8% of the total catch by weight. The catch per haul of Kuhe as a measure of relative abundance indicated that the species was more abundant between Kigoma and Sigunga than in other two Areas of the Kigoma Region. The seasonal peak in the catch was June to July. In the littoral zone, Kuhe seemed to prefer the sandy substrate with rocks or vegetation. Offshore-inshore movement of Kuhe, as observed over 24 hours, was associated with their feeding habits. The sex ratio of the Kuhe population, the body length at first maturity, and the growth superiority in male fish were also found during the study. Further studies on reproduction and seasonal change in distribution are recommended.