Sid Ahmed Benali, Ghoumari Sidi Mohamed, Larbi Doukara Kamel, Gaouar Semir Bechir Suheil
Luciobarbus mascarensis is a Cyprinidae endemic fish of the Macta basin, widely distributed in the region of Mascara, Sidi Bellabes and Saida. This study describes the population structure and biometric relationships such as the weight-length relationship and the condition index (K), of this native species in two different freshwater systems: oued El hammam located on the flank north of the high Oran plains and the Bouhanifia dam located in the north-west of Algeria about 100 km south of Oran and 25 km from Mascara. 116 specimens were fished in the two freshwater systems during the period from November 2017 to September 2019. For each individual, the total (Lt) and standard (Ls) lengths were measured. The total individual body weight (Wt) was taken using an electronic scale. The results showed a positive allometric growth for the Luciobarbus mascarensis which lives in a natural environment (Oued) and a negative allometry for that which lives in an artificial environment (Dam). In addition, it appears in our sampling that the largest fish is a female which weighs 728.2 g and a length of 423 mm this one, was captured in the wadi however in the dam, the maximum length recorded for this species is 342 mm against a maximum weight of 460.3 g Our results would seem useful for the management and conservation of this native species in the different hydrosystems of western Algeria.
