Shesher and Welala Floodplain Wetlands (Lake Tana, Ethiopia): Are They Important Breeding Habitats forClarias gariepinusand the MigratoryLabeobarbusFish Species?

Abstract

This study aims at investigating the spawning migration of the endemicLabeobarbusspecies andC. gariepinusfrom Lake Tana, through Ribb River, to Welala and Shesher wetlands. The study was conducted during peak spawning months (July to October, 2010). Fish were collected through overnight gillnet settings. A total of 1725 specimens of the genusLabeobarbus(13 species) and 506 specimens ofC. gariepinuswere collected. Six species ofLabeobarbusformed prespawning aggregation at Ribb River mouth. However, noLabeobarbusspecies was found to spawn in the two wetlands. More than 90% of the catch in Welala and Shesher wetlands was contributed byC. gariepinus. This implies that these wetlands are ideal spawning and nursery habitats forC. gariepinusbut not for the endemicLabeobarbusspecies. ExceptL. intermedius, all the sixLabeobarbusspecies (aggregated at Ribb River mouth) andC. gariepinus(spawning at Shesher and Welala wetlands) were temporally segregated.