Characterization and Biometry of Ichthyofauna in the Laguna of Karata, North Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua

Abstract

Due to the biological and ecological importance of the Karata lagoon for artisanal fishermen from surrounding communities, an investigation was completed -through three samplings for each study area- with the purpose of evaluating the state of the scale resource and thus contributing to the conservation and its management. A total of 692 individuals were captured, 21 identified species belonging to 17 genera, 11 families and three orders (all of the Actinopterigios class). The diversity index was (H´ = 2.21); richness (S = 11 families, 17 genera and 21 species), and its evenness (E = 0.72).
The biometric analysis was carried out in 6 of the 21 species identified, taking as reference the captures greater than 50 specimens of the same species; these being the ones of greatest commercial interest: Bairdiella ronchus, Bagre marinus, and of the Centropomus genus: C. ensiferus, C. parallelus, C. pectinatus and C. undecimalis. Each species was detailed: number of captures, age range, growth model (according to Von Bertalanffy), FC form factor to determine the type of growth and the length-weight relationship. It was concluded that: the population is young; diversity and equity, medium; richness, high (due to favorable natural conditions); the condition factor (FC), normal; varieties of fish with positive or negative allometric growth, and also that the Centropomus genus is the most coveted for its catches and commercial importance for the region.