Assemblages of fish species of Ikpa River in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Fish species were investigated for 12 calendar months from March 2009 - February 2010 forthnightly using traps, gillnets and cast nets from three sampling stations in Ikpa River. Ornamental fish species were sorted out from the pooled samples. The findings revealed that out of the 2307 fish specimens sampled, 1074 specimens made up of 38 species and 19 families were of indigenous ornamental fish. The highest contributing family in terms of number of species is Cichlidae (10 species) whereas Schilbeidae (593 specimens; 55.21%) is the highest contributor in terms of total number of specimens sampled. This is followed by Mochokidae and Mormyridae with 4 species each and Cichlidae with 158 specimens (14.70%). At the species level, the highest contributor is Physalia pellueida (577 specimens;53.72%)and is followed by Erpetoichthys calabarcus (60 specimens; 5.59%). The least contributors were Heterobranchus bidorsalis, periophthalmus barbarus and Pelyicachromis pulcher (1 specimen; 0.09%). Twelve families recorded only one species each. These great potentials of ornamental fish have been left unexploited and hence, undeveloped. Several species of ornamental fish have been imported into and exported from Nigeria by businessmen. This paper therefore highlights the constraints and also make recommendations for the exploitation and development of ornamental fishery in Akwa Ibom State and its environs.
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| Format: | conference_item biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
FISON
2012
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| Subjects: | Fisheries, Nigeria, Ikpa R., Exotic, Ornamental, Indigenous, Fish species, Ikpa River, freshwater environment, Lake fisheries, Ecological associations, Artisanal fishing, Taxonomy, Ornamental fish, Exploitation, Fish, Stock assessment, Potential resources, Fishery development, Fishery surveys, Freshwater fish, Check lists, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/38872 |
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