Impact of environmental parameters on fish condition and quality in Lake Edku, Egypt

This study was carried out between May 2011 and February 2012 in order to determine the effect of environmental parameters on physical and chemical quality of water, fish condition as well as fish quality in Lake Edku. Fish condition; lengthweight relation, condition factor and hepatosomatic index of three cichlid species (O. niloticus, O. aureus and T. zillii) were studied. Also, fish quality as heavy metals accumulation and proximate body composition for muscle tissue of these species were estimated. Physico-chemical parameters were in normal ranges for fish culture and revealed that the lake water showed differences among different seasons. Concentrations of metals in fish muscles have been changed seasonally with higher values recorded during autumn and winter. However, these concentrations are still in the safety permissible levels for human consumption. The best condition and proximate body composition of fish were recorded in spring and winter seasons. According to the results of this study, the most important environmental parameters affecting water characteristics, fish condition and quality in Lake Edku were water temperature, nutrients and drainage water discharged into the lake.