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International Journal of Agricultural Management & Development (IJAMAD)
Available online on: www.ijamad.com
Assessment of Fish Biodiversity in Oni River,
Ogun State, Nigeria
Obe Bernardine Wuraola1 and Jenyo-Oni Adetola2
Received: 6 December 2010,
Revised: 3 February 2011,
Accepted: 4 February 2011.
F or the purpose of sustainable exploitation of the fishery re-
sources of Oni River, Ogun State, Nigeria, the fish
biodiversity assessment was carried out. This was conducted
by enumerating and identifying fish species composition, meas-
uring the fish length, fish weight, assessing the fish abundance
and biomass, determining the length-weight relationships and
the length-frequency of the fishes. Altogether, 592 fishes were
International Journal of Agricultural Management & Development, 1(3): 107-113, September, 2011.
sampled comprising twenty-eight (28) species belonging to
Abstract
sixteen (16) families. The families identified included: Cichlidae,
Mormyridae, Clariidae, Channidae, Malapteruridae, Gymnar-
chidae, Bagridae, Mochokidae, Polypteridae, Pantodontidae,
Schilbeidae, Anabantidae, Osteoglossidae, Characidae, No-
topteridae and Distichodontidae. The family Mormyridae was
the most abundant with 163 members followed by Cichlidae
with 161 members. The least represented family was Schilbeidae
with only two (2) members. On the species level, Tilapia zillii
Keywords:
had the greatest number of representation with seventy (70)
Fish biodiversity, Oni River, members, followed by Oreochromis niloticus with fifty-eight
Sustainable exploitation. (58) members.
1Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti-State, Nigeria.
2Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
* Corresponding author’s email: [email protected], Tel: +2348035746786. 107
Assessment of Fish Composition / Obe Bernardine Wuraola et al.
INTRODUCTION
Fish is a first-class animal protein for human MATERIALS & METHODS
consumption which is cheap and easily digestible. Location, description and history of the study
It is rich in oil and other essential mineral re- area Oni River takes its source from Ile-Ife,
quirements which the body needs for sound and Nigeria on latitude 70201N and longitude 40551E
healthy growth and also has low cholesterol level. and empties into the Lagos Lagoon, on latitude
It is therefore in high demand the world over. 60301N and longitude 40091E, spanning four
The rapid increase in world population has States in Nigeria namely Osun, Ondo, Ogun
resulted in a huge increase in the need for an- and Lagos States.
imal protein and other nutritional requirements The study area falls within the Ogun State
which make demand far exceeds the supply section of the river in Ogun Waterside Local
and this deficiency of protein is most noticeable Government Area (LGA) which lies between
in underdeveloped countries (Akinola, 1982). latitude 60301 and 60321N and longitude 40221
Nigeria, a coastal country with 850km coast- and 40251E (FDI, 1987). This study area covers
line, 200 nautical miles of Exclusive Economic the river course running through Idakun, Sun-
Zone (EEZ) of marine water and territorial moge, Igele and Tabati fishing
sea of 30 nautical miles has numerous inland communities/camps in Ogun State. These four
and marine water bodies (Faturoti, 2000). fishing camps form the point of study from
International Journal of Agricultural Management & Development, 1(3): 107-113, September, 2011.
FAO (2000) reported that Nigeria has about which samples were collected.
1,280km2 marine area and about 124, 878.2km2 The river passes under the Orita J4
of inland waters. The inland water bodies are bridge/road as it flows from Igele to Tabati;
rich in fresh water fishes while the marine Orita J4 road makes a T-junction further up
waters, though poor in fin fish resources from the study area with the Lagos/Benin
have been found to be rich in shrimp and express road at Ogun Waterside LG junction
tuna resources (Faturoti, 2000). across the road from Omo Forest Reserve,
Despite the rich fish diversity potential of J4 section.
Nigerian waters, there has been a decline in The river is a fresh water habitat and is located
production over the years with a reduction in in the humid tropical region with seasonal vari-
global fish production rising from 27.54 million ation in temperature and rainfall patterns. The
tonnes in 1990 to 31.48 million tonnes in 1995, water is brownish in colour with whitish sandy
a total of 3.94 million tonnes reduction (FAO, bottom soil. Fauna found in the water include
1996). This could be due to a number of reasons fishes, water snails, shrimps, aquatic insects
which could be natural and man-made such as and amphibians. Ogun Waterside LG is bounded
pollution, irrational exploitation of water resources in the West by Ijebu East LG, in the North and
and poor management among other things. the East by Ondo State and in the South by
There are considerable potentials for fresh Lagos State and the Atlantic Ocean.
water fish production in Nigeria. Fish, as a re- The major occupation of the people is fishing
newable natural resource, if carefully exploited, with a little fraction engaging in farming and
can be utilized to meet part of the nation’s hunting. A reconnaissance survey of the study
108 animal protein requirements. area was carried out twice before data collection
Assessment of Fish Composition / Obe Bernardine Wuraola et al.
Figure 1 :Map of Ogun State showing Study Area
(Ogun Waterside L.G.A). Better quality picture now supplied below.
commenced. Fish samples were collected at se- taken to the nearest grammes.
lected landing sites for each of the four fishing The equation describing the relationship of
camps. Sampling was done twice a month within the length and weight for different fish species
International Journal of Agricultural Management & Development, 1(3): 107-113, September, 2011.
the period of study which spanned three months. is given by the linear equation:
log W = a+b log L
Collection of data The percentage biomass was calculated with
Fish identification was made to the lowest
taxonomic level using identification guide the formulae: W1x100%
W2
books prepared by Holden and Reed (1972)
and Olaosebikan and Raji (1998). The Where W1= weight of all samples of a particular
fish abundance was calculated as the total fish species
number of fish sampled. Sampled fish W2 = total weight of the entire fish sample
were counted for each species and record- collected.
ed. Relative abundance of species was Length frequency distribution is the number
calculated by dividing number making up of times a particular length class occurred. This
a species by the total number of fish sampled was obtained by counting the number of length
multiplied by 100% while relative abundance of fishes falling within the same range or class.
of families is the number of each fish family di-
vided by total number of fish sampled multiplied Statistical analysis
by 100%. The total and standard length of fish Regression and correlation analyses were
sampled were measured using measuring board used to establish the relationship between
graduated in centimetres. Range of the length the body weight and standard length while
frequency was determined and recorded. The descriptive analysis i.e. scatter diagram was
weight of different fish species were measured used to show the length-weight relationship
using a weighting balance and the weight was of the fish.
109
Assessment of Fish Composition / Obe Bernardine Wuraola et al.
RESULTS
Table 1: List of identified fish by families, genera and species in Oni River and their relative
abundance
NO NO RELATIVE
S/N FAMILY GENUS SPECIES SAMPLED SAMPLED ABUNDAN
BY FAMILIES BY SPECIES -CE (%)
1 ANABANTIDAE CTENOPOMA Ctenopoma kingsleyae 008 008 1.35
2 BAGRIDAE CHRYSICHTHYS Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus 009 009 1.52
3 CHANNIDAE CHANNA Parachanna obscura 039 039 6.59
CHARACIDAE HYDROCYNUS Hydrocynus vittatus 016 011 1.86
4
ALESTES Alestes spp 005 0.84
5 CICHLIDAE OREOCHROMIS Oreochromis niloticus 161 058 9.80
TILAPIA Tilapia zillii 070 11.82
HEMICHROMIS Hemichromis fasciatus 033 5.57
6 CLARIIDAE CLARIAS Clarias gariepinus 049 049 8.28
7 DISTICHODONTIDAE ICHTHYBORUS Ichthyborus monody 003 003 0.51
International Journal of Agricultural Management & Development, 1(3): 107-113, September, 2011.
8 GYMNARCHIDAE GYMNARCHUS Gymnarchus niloticus 008 008 1.35
9 MALAPTERURIDAE MALAPTERURUS Malapterurus electricus 007 007 1.18
10 MOCHOKIDAE SYNODONTIS Synodontis nigrita 022 022 3.71
11 MORMYRIDAE HYPEROPISUS Hyperopisus bebe 163 030 5.07
GNATHONEMUS Gnathonemus petersii 037 6.25
Gnathonemus abadii 016 2.70
MORMYRUS Mormyrus rume 017 2.88
MORMYROPS Mormyrops deliciosus 004 0.68
PETROCEPHALUS Petrocephalus bane 046 7.77
MARCUSENIUS Marcusenius psittacus 013 2.20
12 NOTOPTERIDAE PAPYROCRANUS Papyrocranus afer 008 1.35
047
XENOMYSTUS Xenomystus nigri 039 6.59
13 OSTEOGLOSSIDAE HETEROTIS Heterotis niloticus
011 011 1.86
14 PANTODONTIDAE PANTODON Pantodon buchholzi 030
030 5.07
15 POLYPTERIDAE CALAMOICHTHYS Calamoichthys calabaricus 012
017 2.03
POLYPTERUS Polypterus senegalus 005 0.84
16 SCHILBEIDAE SILURANODON Siluranodon auritus
002 001 0.17
SCHILBE Schilbe mystus 001 0.17
110 TOTAL 592 592 100
Assessment of Fish Composition / Obe Bernardine Wuraola et al.
Table 2: Length and weight of sampled fish in Oni River
S/N Species No sampled Mean weight (g) Mean total length (cm) Mean standard length (cm)
1 Oreochromis niloticus 058 543.81 22.29 17.93
2 Tilapia zillii 070 495.71 23.94 19.13
3 Hemichromis fasciatus 033 61.97 17.63 14.97
4 Clarias gariepinus 049 145.31 23.15 20.92
5 Hyperopisus bebe 030 55.00 12.92 11.15
6 Gnathonemus petersii 037 57.35 17.60 15.44
7 Mormyrus rume 017 102.32 20.00 18.12
8 Mormyrops deliciosus 004 200 28.68 26.13
9 Petrocephalus bane 046 24.34 11.15 9.69
10 Gnathonemus abadii 016 133.12 18.64 16.25
11 Marcusenius psittacus 013 66.92 19.51 17.82
12 Malapterurus electricus 007 82.86 14.29 12.17
13 Parachanna obscura 039 574.36 30.39 25.88
14 Gymnarchus niloticus 008 812.50 51.30 47.75
15 Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus 009 150.00 17.68 14.52
16 Calamoichthys calabaricus 012 25.00 18.69 17.98
17 Synodontis nigrita 022 180.00 20.60 16.00
18 Pantodon buchholzi 030 20.00 14.57 13.83
19 Siluranodon auritus 001 20.00 12.00 11.50
20 Schilbe mystus 001 60.00 7.50 6.30
21 Ctenopoma kingsleyae 008 130.00 14.33 11.91
22 Heterotis niloticus 011 3131.82 51.16 46.41
23 Hydrocynus vittatus 011 368.18 31.57 25.38
24 Alestes sp. 005 16.00 8.42 8.08
25 Papyrocranus afer 008 785.00 42.5 39.64
26 Xenomystus nigri 039 18.46 12.68 12.21
International Journal of Agricultural Management & Development, 1(3): 107-113, September, 2011.
27 Ichthyborus monodi 003 26.67 12.63 10.57
28 Polypterus senegalus 005 20.00 15.88 15.46
TOTAL 592
genera and species, number sampled and their
relative abundance. These fish families have
been observed by many fisheries workers and
researchers and found to constitute the major
fisheries of inland waters in Nigeria due to their
ability to adapt to various water conditions (Ita
et al., (1986), Akinyemi, (1987), Ita et al.,
(1984, 1985) cited by Ita (1993).
The fish family with the highest species com-
position and abundance was the Mormyridae.
Figure 2: Scatter diagram with fitted line for This is in contrast with the work of Akinyemi
length– weight relationship.Better quality picture (1987) on Eleiyele River and Asejire Lake and
now supplied below
Olaniran (2000) on IITA reservoir that recorded
DISCUSSION Cichlidae as the dominant family. The higher
During the period of study, twenty eight (28) occurrence of Mormyrids could be due to the
species of fishes belonging to sixteen (16) environment in which found. River Oni, which
families were identified in Oni River. Table 1 is a wild environment, possesses features which
gives the list of identified fishes by family, make the fish to thrive better because it conforms 111
Assessment of Fish Composition / Obe Bernardine Wuraola et al.
to their basic biological requirements. According Table 3: Length frequency distribution of sampled fish
to Holden and Reed (1972), they prefer to live Mean Standard Length Frequency of Percentage of
around fallen trees in water where the current is range (cm) occurrence occurrence
0.01-10.00 3 10.71
less swift, they also feed on worms and detritus 10.01-20.00 19 67.86
which occur more in the wild. 20.01-30.00 3 10.71
30.01-40.00 1 3.57
The Cichlidae family was the next most abun- 40.01-50.00 2 7.14
dant family. This could be due to their ability to Total 28 100.00
utilize a wide range of foods in the lower trophic
dry season.
level as herbivores as well as their high fecundity
Table 2 gives the length and weight of sampled
and prolific nature. They are largely believed to
fishes and Table 3 gives the length-frequency
be the most abundant fish family in West Africa
distribution of sampled fish. Analysis of size
due to their hardiness, ability to withstand low
ranges of fish species showed the mean standard
dissolved oxygen level etc.
length varied from 6.3cm to 47.8cm while the
The fish composition on the species level
mean weight has a range of 16g to 3,130g. The
shows the species Tilapia ziillii as the dominant
scatter diagram of weight against standard length
species followed by Oreochromis niloticus and
(fig 2) showed a linear relationship which means
thirdly Clarias gariepinus. This shows that on
that as the length of the fishes increased, their
the species level, the study agrees with the work
body weight also increased. The standard length-
International Journal of Agricultural Management & Development, 1(3): 107-113, September, 2011.
of Akinyemi (1987) which reported that Cichlidae
weight relationship equation of this study is
and Claridae are the most dominant fish species.
given as log wt= 2.29 log SL-0.73. The coefficient
They were also represented throughout the study
of determination (R2) was calculated to measure
period.
the degree of relationship between length and
The families Clariidae, Channidae and No-
weight and it was found out that 58% of the
topteridae had a high representation in the catch.
variation in weight is accounted for by the stan-
This could be due to their hardy nature and
dard length as R2 had a value of 0.58. The
higher susceptibility to catch.
length-weight relationship followed the trend
Some ornamental fishes were identified in the
as described by Bagenal (1978). Table 3 also
study area which have attracted export interest
shows that fish species of mean standard length
as it was observed that people come weekly to
range of 10.0.1-20.00 has the highest level of
buy these ornamental fishes for export purposes.
occurrence making 67.86% of occurrence.
These ornamental fishes include: Pantodon
buchholzi, Gnathonemus abadii and Hemichromis
CONCLUSIONS
fasciatus. This highlights the importance of the
This study was conducted on the fish compo-
River in ornamental fisheries.
sition of Oni River in Ogun State, Nigeria. Oni
Fish families such as Distichodontidae, Ana-
River is an important river in Ogun Waterside
bantidae, Bagridae, Gymnarchidae, Malapteruri-
LG of Ogun State contributing highly to the
dae and Schilbeidae were poorly represented in
inland fishery of the State. The research shows
the catch. Most of these species require high
that there is high composition of fish species in
water level to thrive well which was not avail-
the river which is an evidence of its high pro-
112 able during the period of study as it was the
Assessment of Fish Composition / Obe Bernardine Wuraola et al.
ductivity. The presence of some priced ornamental Profile Nigeria (English) FID/CP/NIR.
fishes of export status such as Gnathonemus 6- FDI (1981). Pocket map of the Federal Republic
abadii and Pantodon buchholzi further highlights of Nigeria. Designed and produced by the Fed.
the potential of the river. Dept. of Information, Domestic Publicity Division
The wide coverage of the river which covers Ikoyi Road, Lagos, Nigeria.
7- Holden, M. & Reed, W. (1972). West African
Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos States of Nigeria
Freshwater Fish Longman London.
makes the river to be of particular interest and
8- Ita, E.O.; Sado, E.K.; Balogun, J.K.; Pandogan,
with proper management, it could be developed
A. and Ibitoye, B. (1985). Inventory Survey of
for multi-usage purposes such as transportation,
Nigeria Inland Waters and their Fishery Resources.
electricity generation etc.
A preliminary checklist of Inland Water Bodies in
Problems observed in the study area included Nigeria with Reference to Ponds, Lakes, Reservoirs
pollution of the water with agricultural chemicals, and major Rivers. KLRI Tech, Rep Series No 14
use of small sized mesh nets, lack of social New Bussa 1985.
amenities such as drinkable water and schools, 9- Ita, E.O. (1993). Inland Fishery Resources of
human activities such as sand mining, logging Nigeria. CIFA Occassional Paper No 20. Rome
and waste disposal into the water. These have FAO, (1993). 120pp.
negative impacts on the quality of the water 10- Ita, E.O.; Mohammed, A.; Omorinkoba, W.S.;
and need to be addressed and corrected. Bankole, N.O. and Awojoodu, S. (1986). A Preliminary
International Journal of Agricultural Management & Development, 1(3): 107-113, September, 2011.
It is hoped that the information gathered from Report on the immediate Post-impoundment Fishery
this study will be very useful in formulating Survey of Shiroro Res., Niger State, Nigeria. KLRI
management policies that would be useful in 1985 Annual Report Pp. 25-29.
future management of Oni River. For if properly 11- Olaniran, T.S. (2000). Ecological Evaluation
and Sustainable Management of Fish Production in
managed, the River will go a long way in
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
boosting the economic status of the State and
Lake, Ibadan, Nigeria. Ph.D. Thesis, University of
also the nation.
Ibadan.
12- Olaosebikan, B.D. & Raji, A. (1998). Field
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