CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background information

Nigeria has extensive water resources, including over 14 million hectares of rivers, lakes, ponds, and
reservoirs, which have the potential to produce around 980,000 metric tons of fish annually (FDF, 2003).
However, statistical surveys indicate that the country's fish demand significantly surpasses its supply, and
domestic fish production remains low in light of the growing population. While aquaculture production
has been on the rise compared to artisanal sources, contributing between 5% and 22% of total domestic
fish production from 2000 to 2007 (FDF, 2007), it still falls short of meeting the increasing consumption
needs. The gap between fish demand and supply continues to widen, driven by the country’s rapid
population growth in recent years (Falaye and Jenyo-Oni, 2009).
Fish are crucial as they provide about 17% of the world's animal protein (Olusola and Arawomo, 2008).
In Nigeria, inland fisheries are particularly vital for supplying protein to the nation’s large population,
which was approximately 178.5 million in 2008 (FDF, 2008). This is especially important as imported
fish has become increasingly unaffordable for low-income earners, as noted by Olusola and Arawomo
(2008).
According to Balogun (2006), research on fish biodiversity, distribution, abundance, and yield in Nigeria
has predominantly focused on large inland water bodies (exceeding 1,000 hectares). There has been
limited study of small to medium-sized rivers (ranging from less than 2 to less than 1,000 hectares), with
only a few exceptions.

FDF (2008) estimated that fish production from small water bodies in Africa could reach two million
tonnes annually. The report suggests that this figure could be significantly higher if enhanced fishing
systems, which are well-suited to small water bodies, were implemented.
In Nigeria, fisheries resources are declining due to overexploitation and insufficient management of
coastal waters. To sustain these resources, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of species
composition, diversity, and relative abundance in various water bodies, which should be actively pursued
(Lawson and Olusanya, 2010). Biodiversity, often misunderstood or misapplied, is a measure of the
variety of species that constitute a biological community. It is a key aspect of how communities are
organized and structured. Species richness, which is the number of different species in a given area, and
relative abundance, which indicates how common or rare a species is within a community, are vital
components of biodiversity. Species richness is frequently used in conservation to assess the sensitivity of
ecosystems and the species they support, while relative abundance provides insight into the balance of
species within an ecosystem (Lawson and Olusanya, 2010).
Environmental management of aquatic ecosystems, particularly inland water bodies, has become a major
concern for scientists, resource managers, and environmentalists (Ita, 1993). These ecosystems, which are
1
rich in unique natural resources, are increasingly being degraded, leading to ecological imbalances and
the irreversible loss of valuable resources. The decline of inland water bodies in Africa is largely due to
poor management practices, including the absence of adequate regulations or the failure to enforce
existing ones (Ita, 1993).
In Nigeria, the management of inland water bodies and conservation of fisheries resources has
traditionally been guided by indigenous practices. These include water tenure, taboos, ritual prohibitions,
magic, closed seasons, gear restrictions, and intensified use of floodplains. While some of these practices
were originally intended for reasons other than resource management, others were specifically designed
to protect and enhance certain fisheries for particular purposes (Odusanya, 2008). For example, in Sokoto
and Kano States in northern Nigeria, traditional practices include closing seasonal rivers and flood ponds
to fishing during the rainy season, not necessarily to protect fisheries, but to accommodate the needs of
full-time farmers who engage in part-time fishing during the dry season (Ita, 1993). Another example is
the gear restrictions and closed seasons associated with the management of the Sokoto-Rima River during
the Argungu fishing festival. Although indigenous and traditional methods for sustaining fish resources
are commonly practiced in Nigeria, they lack a legal framework, making effective enforcement difficult
(Obasohan and Oronsaye, 2006).
A thorough understanding of fish population dynamics is essential for sustainable fisheries management.
Therefore, biological surveys that assess fish species composition and abundance are regularly used as
management tools (Peter, 1969).

1.2 Statement of Problem

Before launching any fisheries development or management program, it is crucial to have detailed
information about the fish species present, including their names, habits, habitats, edibility, and suitability
for processing and preservation, as well as their abundance (Reed et al., 1967). Currently, data on fish
species in various inland water bodies in Nigeria are scattered and incomplete. An inventory of fish
species in some of the economically significant water bodies of Abakaliki is necessary for effective
management and development. Therefore, conducting ichthyofauna surveys of the small water bodies is
essential to determine their productivity potential and fish distribution, which is critical for proper
management.
1.3 Justification
Given that the Ngbo Agbaja River is an open fishing area with year-round fishing activities, it is
important to understand the status of the fish population and the river’s ecological dynamics. A
comprehensive survey to assess the stock and biodiversity of fish species in this water body is essential.
The data generated from these surveys will be instrumental in formulating strategies for the conservation,
management, and sustainable use of these aquatic resources.

2
No previous survey of fish species in the Ngbo Agbaja River has been conducted. The information
gathered from this survey will be invaluable in developing management strategies for the river’s fish
population and can also serve as a reference for managing similar water bodies across the country

1.4 Aims and Objectives

1. To document information on fish species diversity and abundance in NgboAgbaja River.

2. To determine the composition and the relative abundance of fish species in Ngbo Agbaja

River.

3. To determine the condition factor (well-being) of the fish species identified in the river

4. To recommend the level of fishing to sustain the present fishing population.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Fish Species Diversity

A review of the Nigerian fish fauna reveals that there are about 511 fish families in Nigeria (Ita,

1993). About 34% of these species are restricted to exclusive economic zone (EEZ) while

approximately 44% are freshwater fisheries inhabiting water of very low salinity (below 1 part

per thousand or conductivity of 1000µs/cm). The occurrence of Potamotrygeongarouensis in the

waters of Northern Nigeria (Reed etal., 1967) and River Ase in Delta State of Nigeria (Idodo-

3
Umeh, 2003) are ofscientific interest because P. garouensis (Dasyatidae) occur in both brackish

and fresh waters, this is unique and require protection.

Over the past few decades, fish resources decreased dramatically, and endemic species have

faced continuous threats globally. It is a known fact that Overfishing, water diversion, pollution,

global climate change, land erosion and other anthropogenic activities are considered as the main

threats to fish biodiversity. Therefore, the conservation of fish biodiversity has become more

imperative and of utmost importance. Wetlands were often regarded as wastelands because of

some problems like disease vectors associated with them. (Asibor, 2015) stated that for an area

to be considered a wetland, it must possess water, wetland plants and wetland soils.

Today the fish diversity and associated habitats management is a great challenge and the ability

to evaluate the effects of habitat change and other impacts on the fish population required

extensive surveying of the fish population before and after the change occur. The fish diversity,

community structure and species assemblages in the streams and rivers are interdependent on

many abiotic and biotic factors. These factors determine the success or failure of fish species

assemblages in the rivers or streams within the range of spatial distribution limits. Parameters

such as species composition, species richness, and abundance have been used in many studies to

describe and assess fish community and diversity.

The most important fishes in terms of species diversity are the teleosts (Young 1962; Parker and

Haswell, 1964). Among the Carangidae, only Trachinotusgoreens is a marine species that has

been reported in southern freshwaters in Lekki lagoon (Nwadiaro, 1984; Ikusemiju and

Olaniyan, 1997). This species appear to be restricted in distribution and need to be protected.

The fish fauna of Nigerian freshwater systems has been the focus of many studies, such as those

of Banks et al. (1966), Reed et al. (1967), Awachie (1976), Itaet al. (1982), Welman (1984),

4
Akinyemiet al. (1985), Ita and Pandogari (1987), Chidi (1993), Balogun (2005) and Ibrahim et

al. (2009).

The Mudskipper, Periopthalmus papillio (Periopthalmidae) is a fish of great biological and

evolutionary significance. The continued existence of this fish is seriously threatened by

pollution from oil spills and land reclamation exercise especially in the mangrove and Lagos

Lagoon beaches (Ikusemiju and Olaniyan, 1997).

2.1.1 Inland freshwater fish species diversity

Fishing practice is attracting a lot of focus because it contributes significantly to the world

proteins requirement (Moses, 1990). Fish is a high quality food, its content of protein matter is

important. It is rich in vitamins and contains variable quantities of fat, and calcium for human

health (Moses, 1990). The protein is first class and inexpensive and its composition and

consumption is desirable (Moses, 1990).Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural water bodies

with abundant fish resources. Nigerian freshwater bodies are the richest in West Africa in terms

of fish abundance (Meye and Ikomi, 2008). The fish resources, apart from being a major source

of high quality animal protein for man, provide several socio-economic values as sources of job

opportunities and raw material for some industrial activities as well as recreational purposes

(Yakub, 2012).Nigeria’s populations live near water bodies such as lakes, lagoons, reservoirs,

rivers, swamps and coastal lagoons. Many depend heavily on the resources of such water bodies

for their main source of animal protein and family income (Abubakar et al., 2006). Ita (1993)

reported 268 different species in 34 well known Nigerian freshwater rivers, lakes, reservoirs,

which constitute about 12% of Nigeria’s total surface area of about 98,185,000 hectares.

However, according to Jamu and Ayinla (2003), the yields of most of these inland waters are

generally on the decline due to environmental degradation such as water pollution and improper

5
or poor management of fisheries resources. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

recommended species richness and relative abundance as ecological risk assessment in aquatic

ecosystem (EPA, 2007). Ita (1993) reported an estimated 230 species in Nigerian rivers. Odo

et al

(2009) reported an estimated fifty two (52) fish species belonging to seventeen (17) families

from Anambra River, Nigeria. The fisheries and fish resources of Nigeria are not only of

considerable economic importance but they are also making a significant contribution to national

food security and as well providing a major source of employment in rural areas. The fish stock

diversities are directly dependent on the quality and quantity of water resources in the country

(Bolorunduro, 2003)

6
2.2Problems of Fishery Resources

The problems of sustaining inland fisheries resources in Nigeria can be categorized as both

human and natural. The human problems of inland fisheries‟ sustainability can be viewed from

the perspectives of policy implementation, auditing and sampling, analysis and taxonomy,

management, pollution and land reclamations (Asiwaju, 2011), Policy: investigations of inland

fisheries in Nigeria including those of wetlands come under the mandate of the Nigerian Institute

for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR).

There are usually no laws and regulations controlling the exploitation of the fisheries of most

African inland waters. Even where such laws and regulations (such as registration and licensing

of fishermen, mesh size regulation, gear size regulation, prohibition of the use of poison and

explosives, fishing with electricity as well as closed season and area) exist, they are not often

enforced (Asiwaju, 2011).

In Nigeria, the management of inland waters is regarded as the exclusive responsibility of the

States to which such water bodies belong. Whereas there is a Sea Fisheries Decrees Act of 1971,

as well as the relevant Fishery Regulations and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Decree of

1978, which enable the Federal Government to control, regulate and protect the sea fisheries

resources.

Although it could be argued that these waters are within State boundaries and should therefore be

subjected to State Legislation, the waters usually traverse more than one

State. Apart from the fact that fish do not respect State boundaries, migratory fish often enter

channels which pass through more than one State. Consequently, action or lack of action by one

State can have a profound effect on the fishery resources and fishing in another State. In

addition, migrant fishermen often cross State boundaries using unlawful methods to capture fish,

and the dumping of poisonous products or industrial wastes in one State, which does not give

7
priority to fisheries, can lead to mass destruction of valuable fishery resources downstream in

another State where fishing may be of high priority.

Drought and predation are two outstanding natural problems. Bukar and Gubio (1985) reported

ichthyofauna biodiversity changes, resulting from drought in Lake Chad, Nigeria and noted that

the reduction in Lake water level resulted in increased temperatures, nutrients, carbon dioxide,

hydrogen sulphide, pH, dissolved oxygen, competition, death and decomposition. Some of the

lake fish‟s species were succeeded by Clariasgariepinus.

Predation was a serious biodiversity problem as the food web involved various taxa. Olatunde

(1977) reported that the populations of Eutropiusniloticus and Schilbemystus, two important fish

species in Lake Kainji, were preyed upon by the Nile perch (Latesnilotcus).

Other problems of fish resources are:

Competing/Conflicting Interests.

Escape: Offshore aquaculture of finfish uses cages or pens.

Growing Exotic/Mutated Species.

Growing Genetically Modified/Transgenic Organisms (GMOs).

Habitat Impacts.

Human Health Concerns: Farm-raised fish contain higher levels of chemical

pollutants than wild fish, including poly chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Water Pollution: Water flowing out of an aquaculture facility can carry excessive

nutrients, particulates, bacteria, other diseased organisms and polluting chemicals.

2.3 Reproductive Biology of Fish

The perpetuation and evolution of species is dependent upon reproduction, the success of which

depends on resource allocation and the location and the timing of reproduction defined by the

reproductive strategy of the species (Lagler et al., 1977; Wootton, 1990). Reproductive strategies

are shaped largely by the abiotic environment, food availability, presence of predators and the
8
habitat of parental fish (Lowe-McConnell, 1987; Wootton, 1990). Fecundity is defined as the

number of ripe eggs prior to spawning; it varies intra-specifically and inter-specifically, and it is

a function of somatic weight or body length (Bagenal, 1978; Lowe-McConnell, 1987; Wootton,

1990).

Total or single spawners produce a large number of small eggs which are deposited over a short

period, while batch or multiple spawners produce fewer and larger eggs and have a longer

breeding period which may last throughout the year; only a proportion of the eggs ripe in the

gonad at any one spawning (Ekanem, 2000). Ekanem (2000) had suggested that multiple

spawning is an adaptive response to fluctuation in water level. Wootton (1990) noted that acidic

water, abrupt change in water level and pollutants may reduce fecundity in both kinds of

spawners.

King (1997) studied weight fecundity relationships of Clariidae, Cyprinidae, Mormyridae,

Characidae, Schilbeidae and Mochokidae and found that as the maximum body weight of fish

increased, the number of eggs produced per gram also increased. King remarked that this could

be linked to the fact that fish continued to grow after fecundity had stabilized. Ekanem (2000)

reported variation in egg size even among individuals of the same length and attributed

differences to individual ovulation time and the stage of egg development.

The gonado-somatic index (GSI) is the measure of the relative weight of the gonad to total or

somatic weight of fish (Welcome, 1985; Wootton, 1990; King, 1995). Total spawners- fish that

releases one batch of eggs per breeding season e.g brown trout have higher GSI than batch

spawners- fish that releases multiple batches of eggs per breeding season (Wootton, 1990). Ikomi

(1996) reported that there were fluctuations in GSI value of the mormyrid Brienimyrus

longianalis, as a result of the quality of gonad maturation. The GSI values Ikomi (1996) obtained

were higher in fish with standard length range of 6.5cm – 8.8cm than these with standard length

of 5.1cm - 8.8cm.

9
Ikomi and Odum (1998) reported some aspects of the ecology of the catfish

(Chrysichthysauratus). They observed that male: female ratio of 1: 0.98 was not significantly

different from the expected ratio of 1:1. The fecundity estimate varied with size of fish and the

average number of eggs in ripe ovary ranged from 260 to 620 for fish with total length range of

10.2cm to 14.0cm. Oniyeet al. (2006) recorded a male to female ratio of 1:1.09 in Protopterus

annectens examined from Jachi reservoir in Katsina State.

2.4 Condition factor (K)

The condition factor in fish serves as an indicator of physiological state of the fish in relation to

its welfare (Le Cren, 1951) and also provides information when comparing two populations

living in certain feeding density, climate and other conditions (Weatherly and Gills, 1987). Thus,

condition factor is important in understanding the life cycle of fish species and it contributes to

adequate management of these species, hence, maintaining the equilibrium in the ecosystem

(Imam et al., 2010).

Condition factors of different populations of the same species give some information about food

supply, timing and duration of breeding, and can also be used in assessing well-being of fish

(Weatherly and Rogers, 1987). In a study of some reproductive aspects of Chrysichthys

nigrodigitatus from Cross River, Nigeria, Ekanem (2000) found that the condition factor of

population varied from 0.24 to 1.34, with 0.977 as the mean; 52.8% had values higher than the

mean and 47% had condition factor above unity, and noted that the smaller fishes were more

efficient in finding food than the bigger ones.

Ikomi and Odum (1998) observed a monthly variation in the condition factor (K) of

Chrysichthys auratus, which was higher in the wet than in the dry season, andappeared to be

influenced by the rainfall regime and effective utilization of the rich resources of the rainy

season. Ikomi and Odun (1998) concluded that increase in the K-value of both male and female

fish was attributable to conservation of stored energy and increasing weight of maturing gonads

10
and also that the condition factor of 1.51 they obtained, showed that the fish was in good

condition throughout the study period and attributed it to favourable environmental condition,

especially availability of food.

The value of „K‟ is influenced by age of fish, sex, season, stage of maturation, fullness of gut,

type of food consumed, amount of fat reserve and degree of muscular development. In some fish

species, the gonads may weigh up to 15% or more of total body weight. With females, the K

value will decrease rapidly when the eggs are shed (Charles and Alan, 1998). They established

condition factor (K) value for trout and salmon with their status as follows:

K value Status

1.60 Excellent condition, trophy class fish.

1.40 A good, well-proportioned fish.

1.20 A fair fish, acceptable to many anglers.

1.00 A poor fish, long and thin.

0.80 Extremely poor fish, resembling a barracouta with big head and

Narrow thin body.

2.5 Length-Weight Relationship

Knowledge of some quantitative aspects such as length-weight relationship is important in

studying fish biology. Length-weight relationships can be used to predict weight from length

measurements made in the yield assessment (Pauly, 1993). Fish can attain either isometric

growth, negative allometric growth or positive allometric growth. Isometric growth is associated

with no change of body shape as an organism grows. Negative allometric growth implies the fish

becomes more slender as it increase in weight while positive allometric growth implies the fish

comes relatively stouter or deeper-bodied as it increases in length (Riedel et al., 2007).

Oniyeet al. (2006) reported that the length-weight relationship of Protopterusannectensin Jachi

Dam, Katsina State, showed positive correlation (r=0.85) in both sexes, indicating an increase in
11
weight as length increased. The regression exponent (b˃3) for both sexes showed allometric

growth. Thomas et al. (2003) stated that the isometric value of b=3 was for an ideal fish that

maintained a three dimensional equality. Fafioye and Oluajo (2005) reported a mean b value of

3.0072 for Clariasgariepinus, Illisha Africana, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Chrysichthys

walkeri and Ethmalosafim briata in Epe Lagoon, Lagos; this showed a nearly

isometricrelationship with 60% of the variation in body weight being accounted for by changes

in length of the fish.

Ogbe et al. (2006) reported a b value of 3.92 for Bagrusbayad from the lower Benue River

which showed that the fish weight increased allometrically. When the b-value is ˃3, a fish has

negative allometric growth, and when it is ˃3 it has positive allometric growth (Khaironizam and

Norma-Rashid, 2002).

2.6 Relative Species Abundance

Relative abundance refers to how common or rare a species is, relative to other species in a

given location or community (Hubell, 2001; McGill et al., 2007). Relative species abundance

and species richness describe key elements of biodiversity (Hubell, 2001).

The relative abundance is calculated as the number of organisms of a particular kind as a

percentage of the total number of organisms of a given area or community; the number of fish

of a particular species as a percentage of the total fish population of a given area (Krohne,

2001).

2.9 Fish Species Composition of Some Nigeria Water Bodies

In Nigeria, there is a total of 137,802 hectares of existing lakes and reservoirs (Ita et al., 1985).

These were created mainly for the generation of hydro-electric power andsupply of irrigational

and potable waters. Unfortunately, little attention is paid to the fishery potential of these lakes,

but some of these lakes are capable of supplying good fish (Peter, 1994). Lowe-McConnell
12
(1987) reported that construction of dams usually created ecological regimes which have an

impact on the existing biota.

The work of Adeosunet al. (2011) on Ikere Gorge, which is a man-made lake constructed on the

River Ogun, eight kilometers East of Ikere village and thirty kilometers North East of Iseyinin

Oyo State, Nigeria (Adeosun et al., 2011). Adeosun et al. (2011) reported that the preponderance

of cichlids in Ikere Gorge could be attributed to their ability to thrive on a wide variety of foods

and provision of suitable breeding and shelter ground provided by colonization of the banks with

green plants. With the impoundment of water in the reservoir in 1992, some villages, namely

Alagbon, Olaibi and Alagbede with some 150-farm families upstream of the dam were

reportedly displaced and resettled at the upstream of Ikere Gorge. Ikere River takes its source

from Northeast of Iseyin to the East of Ikere, and joins Ogun River some 14km upstream of Ikere

after impoundment.

A survey of fish catches made from fishermen in the Bussa-Yelwa stretch of the Niger River one

year later in August 1966 (Motwani and Kanwai, 1970) showed that the Mochokidae, instead of

the Mormyridae as was the case in 1965, was most abundant family commercially, followed in

order of importance by Mormyridae, Cichlidae, Citharinidae, Polypteridae and Characidae.

Early in 1966, part of the western channel of the Niger around the Kainji Island was dammed,

resulting in the formation of a small Lake that measured approximately 1.7km in length with a

2
maximum width of 170m, and a surface area of about 180,000m . Later in the same year, this

Coffeor dammed Lake was drained, and existed fish population captured and examined

(Motwani and Kanwai, 1970). The composition of the fish population of this small Lake was

typical of most of the deep rocky reaches of the river in the vicinity and therefore gives an

indication of the relative abundance of the different families and species in at least part of the

stretch of the Niger now covered by the Lake Kainji (Lewis, 1974). Numerically, the fish

population of the Coffe or dammed channel was dominated by the Characidae, which comprised

13
36.3% of the total catch. However, numerous small species of Alestes baremose (Joannis),

Alestesdentex (Cuvier and Valenciennes) and Alestesleu ciscus (Gunther) contributed to this

figure and in terms of weight, the Characidae accounted for only 12.2% of the catch (Banks et

al., 1966).

Mormyridae made up the greatest part of the catch by weight (19.5%) (20.7% by number)

followed by Citharinidae (18.9% by weight and 6.12% by number) and the Bagridae (18.2% by

weight and 7.2% by number). It therefore appears that the fish population of the part of the Niger

which is now submerged by Lake Kainji was dominated by the families Mormyridae and

Mochokidae in the lower parts of the river and in swamps, the Cichlidae and Citharinidae were

also considered to be of importance (Banks et al., 1966; Motwani and Kanwai, 1970).

After the commissioning of the dam, Lelek (1972) sampled the fish of the then newly formed

Lake from June 1969 through 1970 to May, 1971. Fishes were captured in fleets of floating gill-

nets with meshes ranging from 2 inches to 7 inches, from 18 stations distributed throughout the

lake and covering the majority of the habitat type. The percentage composition by weight and

number made up by the major families in 1969 and 1970 showed that in 1969, a profound change

in the composition of fish stock took place as a result of the closure of the dam. For example,

Mormyridae, which dominated the catches from the river, had fallen to a significant 0.5% by

weight and 1.0% by number of the 1969 experimental gill-nets‟ catch, the dominant family

became the Citharinidae, which during 1969 made up 23.1% by weight (Lelek, 1972).

Other notable changes were an increase in the relative abundance and percentage by weight of

the Characidae and Centropomidae which included the important predators like Hydrocynus spp.

and Latesniloticus. There was a decline in the relative abundance of the Mochokidae (Lelek,

1972). Lelek‟s figures for the composition of the 1970 gill-net catch were rather different from

the 1969 figures, suggesting that changes in the relative abundance of the major families had

continued through the second year of the Lake‟s formation. The most notable changes were the

14
dramatic increase in the Citharinidae and a spectacular increase in abundance of the Characidae

(Lelek, 1972).

15
 CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study Area

Obasi I. (2015)

16
The study area is Ngbo-Agbaja river located in the outskirts of Abakaliki and
flows through agricultural farmlands where rice, yams, vegetables and
other cereal crops is farmed in commercial quantity. The sampling points

o o
in the River will be at latitude 6 18 ' 38.35 " N, longitude 8 06 ' 46.99 "

o o
E and latitude 6 18 ' 22.94 " N, longitude 8 08 ' 51' 51.77 " E. It is
located in Abakaliki and flows beside mechanic village and rice mill areas.
The river lies within the Southern Guinea savanna zone. It is a tributaries to

Cross River basin and is connected to Atlantic Ocean through the same river

basin. In general, the river is relatively broad, flows slowly and changes

seasonally in width and depth with arrays of hydrological regime that

characterized most rivers in the region. This river support a lot of agricultural

activities such as fishing, cultivation of root crops along the river bank and

within the watershed. Sand mining, trading (mainly on aquatic food items),

car wash, domestic activities such as washing of cloths, kitchen utensils and

bathing are also common activities within the river. There is rainy and dry

season that influence the activities within the river and its bank. Some parts

of the water bodies is often fringed with macrophytes and along the river

bank is tree plants.

The region has an average annual rainfall of 1,250mm with an average temperature of 30°C. It is

influenced by the dry season (November to April) and rainy season (May to October). The

hottest months are March and April, while the coldest months are December and January, during

the harmattan period when the temperature drops to freezing point in the evening and morning.

The vegetation is guinea savanna with some traditional Sudan savanna elements in places

(Lawan, 2002).

17
3.2 Sampling stations and collection of fish samples

The fish samples was be collected by artisanal fishermen, at different distance points in the water

body, labeled as section 1, section 2, section 3, using their various fishing gear such as hook and

lines, siene nets, cast net and traps. With 40ft, 48ft and 50ft width; 32ft, 39ft and 49ft depth

respectively. Sampling was carried fortnightly for a period of 3 month.

3.3 Collection and Identification of Fish

The fish caught by the artisanal fishermen was be removed, recorded and transferred into large

separate labelled plastic bowls, according to species and mesh size. The morphometric

characteristics which include the size and shapes of each fish wias also be taken.

Fish will be identified using taxonomic key books by Reed et al. (1967); Idodo-Umeh (2003);

Olaosebikan and Raji (1998) and Froese and Pauly (2015). Sex of fish was also be determined

by visual observation according to Offem et al. (2008).

3.4 Length-Weight Relationship

The analysis of length-weight data was aimed at describing mathematically the relationship
between length and weight to enable conversion of one to another. It also measured the variation
from the expected weight for length of individual fish. The L-W relationship was analyzed by
b
using the equation W= aL (Pauly, 1983).

Where:

L= Length of fish in cm

a = describe the rate of change of weight with length (intercept)

b = weight at unit length (slope)

18
The equation was log transformed to estimate the parameters „a‟ and „b‟. When b is equal to

three (3), isometric pattern of growth occurs but when b is not equal to 3, allometric pattern of

growth occurs, which may be positive if >3 or negative if <3.

b
The L-W relationship was analyzed by using the equation W= aL (Pauly, 1983).

3.5 CONDITION FACTOR („K‟)

The condition factor („K‟) which shows the degree of well-being of the fish in their habitat

was determined by using the equation:

Where:

K = condition factor

W = the weight of the fish in gram (g)

L = the total length of the fish in centimeters (cm)

b = the value obtained from the length-weight equation (Gomiero and Braga, 2005) The

exponent „b‟ value, that is equal to 3, was not used to calculate the „K‟ value. Bolger and

Connolly (1989) claim that it is not a real representation of the length-weight relationship for

greater majority of fish species, therefore the „b value used was obtained from the estimated

b
length-weight relationship equation (W = a L ) as suggested by Lima-Junior et al. (2002).

3.6 Relative Abundance of Fish

All fish from the two sampling points will be pooled, sorted, counted and recorded. The species

abundance will be calculated as the percentage of each species represented in the total catch for

each station. Catch data will be averaged within weekly time intervals and expressed as average

monthly catches for the water body as described by Alphonse and Rudi (1995).

The relative abundance was calculated as follows:

19
3.7 Data Analysis

Data on morphometric was analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine (means and

standard deviations). The data of fish abundance was subjected to one way analysis of variance

(ANOVA) to determine differences between seasons, and where differences exists, they were

separated.

CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Results

4.1.1 Water Quality Parameters

Below is the table showing the water quality parameters recorded from the different stations

studied during the experiment. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) among the

parameters in all the stations.

Table 1.Water quality Parameters of the Experimental Stations

Parameter DO (mg/l) pH Temp. (oC) Conductivity (µs)

Station 1 5.76±0.51a 8.00±0.87a 27.67±0.58a 650±0.00
Station 2 5.33±0.58a 7.27±1.26a 26.67±0.58a 650±0.00
Station 3 6.33±0.50a 7.67±0.76a 27.00±1.00a 650±0.00
Means within column with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.05).
Key:
Temp (°C) – Temperature DO (mg/L) – Dissolved oxygen
pH - Hydrogen ion concentration EC (µS) – Electrical conductivity

20
Table 2: Fish species identified in Ngbo-Agbaja River in Abakaliki Eonyi State
Family Species Local Names
Osteoglossidae Heterotis niloticus
Mormyridae Mormyrus macrothalamus Edo
Hyperopisus bebe Ndedu
Channidae Channa obscura Ifie
Clarotidae Auchenoglanis occidentalis Nku
Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus Okpocha
Bagrus bayad Okpondu
Malapteruridae Malapterurus electricus Eruru
Mochokidae Synodontis ocellifer

Clariidae Clarias lezera Okwa

Claria gariepinus Ariria ndu
Cichlidae Tilapia zilli Okpo
Tilapia aurea Uzonwalu
Notobranchiidae Epiplatys fasciolatus Nwu
Epiplatys sexfasciatus Okikpo
Denticipitidae Denticeps clupeoides Iborocha
Alestidae Bryconaethiops quinquesquamae Okpai

4.1.3 Distribution of Fish

There were significant differences in the fish distribution in Station 1, station 2 and station 3 for

some of the sampled species presented in Table 4. The total number of fish caught in Station 1

(1486 fish) was significantly different (P<0.05) from the total number of fish caught in station 2

(962 fish) and station 3 (812 fish) respectively.

21
Table 4: Distribution of Fish Species in Stations 1, Station 2 and Station 3 of Ngbo-Agbaja
River in Abakaliki Eonyi State
Family Species Station 1 (%) Station 2 (%) Station 3 (%)
Osteoglossidae Heterotis niloticus 50 (3.36) 40 (4.16) 30 (3.69)
Mormyridae Mormyrus macrothalamus 60 (4.04) 20 (2.07) 20 (2.46)
Channidae Channa obscura 100 (6.73) 100 (10.40) 100 (12.32)
Clarotidae Auchenoglanis 400 (26.92) 200 (20.79) 100 (12.32)
occidentalis 61 (4.10) 20 (2.07) 19 (2.34)
Chrysichthysnigrodigitatus 10 (0.67) 35 (3.64) 5 (0.62)
Bagrus bayad
Malapteruridae Malapterurus electricus 15 (1.01) 15 (1.56) 10 (1.23)
Mochokidae Synodontis ocellifer 40 (2.69) 5 (0.52) 5 (0.62)
Clariidae Clarias lezera 90 (6.06) 50 (5.20) 60 (7.39)
Clarias gariepinus 160 (10.77) 140 (14.55) 100 (12.32)
Cichlidae Tilapia zilli 60 (4.04) 60 (6.24) 80 (9.85)
Tilapia aurea 80 (5.38) 20 (2.07) 50 (6.16)
Notobranchiidae Epiplatys fasciolatus 100 (6.73) 50 (5.20) 50 (6.16)

Denticipitidae Denticeps clupeoides 45 (3.03) 42 (4.37) 13 (1.60)

Alestidae Bryconaethrops 15 (1.01) 15 (1.56) 20 (2.46)
guinguesguame
TOTAL 1486 (100) 962 (100) 812 (100)

4.1.4 Relative Abundance

The relative abundance of fish species in Ngbo-Agbaja River are presented in table 5. The family

Clarotidae has the highest occurrence (850 fish) which is made of Auchenoglanis occidentalis

(700 fish, 21.47%), Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (100 fish, 3.07%) and Bagrus bayad (50 fish,

1.53) followed by Clariidae (600 fish). The least abundance family was represented by Alestidae

(50 fish, 1.53%) with only one species (Bryconaethiops quinquesquamae) been sampled.

22
Table 5: Relative abundance of fish species in Ngbo-Agbaja River in Abakaliki Eonyi State
Family Species Total Abundance (%)
Osteoglossidae Heterotis niloticus 120 3.68
Mormyridae Mormyrus macrothalamus 100 3.07
Channidae Channa obscura 300 9.20
Clarotidae Auchenoglanis occidentalis 700 21.47
Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus 100 3.07
Bagrus bayad 50 1.53
Malapteruridae Malapterurus electricus 40 1.23
Mochokidae Synodontis ocellifer 50 1.53
Clariidae Clarias lezera 200 6.13
Clarias gariepinus 400 12.27
Cichlidae Tilapia zilli 200 6.13
Tilapia aurea 150 4.60
Notobranchiidae Epiplatys fasciolatus 200 6.13
Epiplatys sexfasciatus 500 15.34
Denticipitidae Denticeps clupeoides 100 3.07
Alestidae Bryconaethiops quinquesquamae 50 1.53

4.1.5 Growth pattern of fish species and Their Condition Factor (K)

The length-weight relationships of the fish species in Ngbo-Agbaja River in Abakaliki Eonyi

State are presented in Table 6. Tilapia aurea (2.23) had highest value of the exponent „b‟ in the

length-weight relationship followed by Mormyrus macrothalamus whichhad 2.12 and the lowest

was Malapterurus electricus (0.75). The values for the other species are indicated in the table.

The species such as Heterotis niloticus, Mormyrus macrothalamus, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus,

Clarias gariepinus, Tilapia zilli, Tilapia aurea, Epiplatys sexfasciatus, Denticeps clupeoides

andBryconaethiops quinquesquamaeshowed isometric growth pattern while the rest exhibited

negative allometric growth pattern. There was a strong correlation between the length and the

23
weight of all the species except Denticeps clupeoides in which these parameters were weakly

correlated.

60

50

40
weigth (g)

30
f(x) = 4.95546193198917 x − 37.4527234426723
20 R² = 0.293017597353074

10

0
9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12 12.5 13 13.5 14
Total Length (cm)

Figure 1. Length-weight relationship of family Cichlidae

80
70
60 f(x) = 6.72688043341313 x − 74.4832997354164
50 R² = 0.85250912947973
weigth (g)

40
30
20 Figure 2.
10 Length-
weight
0 relationship
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
of family
Total Length (cm) Clariidae

24
 45
40
f(x) = 2.43536997989506 x − 2.62293188839307
35 R² = 0.881361429446365
30
weigth (g)

25
20
15
10
5
0
6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Total Length (cm)

Figure 3. Length-weight relationship of family Notobranchiidae

60

50
f(x) = 8.098857958601 x − 80.3099095883893
R² = 0.894855366087508
40
weigth (g)

30

20

10

0
10 11 12 Total13Length 14(cm) 15 16 17

Figure 4. Length-weight relationship of family Mochokidae

25
 90
80
f(x) = 6.4279983542481 x − 65.535609956799
70 R² = 0.193923748949786
60
weigth (g)

50
40
30
20
10
0
18.5 19 19.5 20 20.5 21 21.5 22 22.5 23
Total Length (cm)

Figure 5. Length-weight relationship of family Channidae

16
14 f(x) = 0.967641325536063 x + 6.45510071474984
12 R² = 0.408287941856493

10
weigth (g)

8
6
4
2
0
3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5
Total Length (cm)
Figure 6. Length-weight relationship of family Alestidae

26
 16
14
12 f(x) = 0.0938573883161512 x + 11.7314289805269
R² = 0.00737073416092438
10
weigth (g)

8
6
4
2
0
9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12 12.5 13 13.5
Total Length (cm)
Figure 7. Length-weight relationship of family Denticipitidae

35

30
f(x) = 1.33734939759036 x + 2.99999999999999
25 R² = 0.976616994292961
Weight (g)

20

15

10

0
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Total Length (cm)

Figure 8. Length-weight relationship of family Osteoglosidae

27
 70

60

50
f(x) = 0.76366184026156 x + 26.401214385801
Weight (g)

R² = 0.215831825207891
40

30

20

10

0
14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

Total Length (cm)

Figure 9. Length-weight relationship of family Mormyridae

60

50
f(x) = 0.933130699088146 x + 20.5851063829787
R² = 0.500604848615222
40
Weight (g)

30

20

10

0
18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

Total Length (cm)

Figure 10. Length-weight relationship of family Malapteruridae

28
Table 6: Condition Factor and sizes of the Fish Species in Ngbo-Agbaja River in Abakaliki Eonyi State
Species No Caught Mean K Weight (g) Standard
value Length(cm)

Heterotis niloticus 300 0.3 24.33±0.05 19.22±1.02

Mormyrus macrothalamus 100 0.5 59.06±0.11 22.10±0.32

Channa obscura 300 0.7 77.32±1.01 22.00±0.02

Auchenoglanis occidentalis 700 1.5 44.71±0.33 14.10±0.22

Chrysichthysnigrodigitatus 100 1.0 18.09±0.01 12.05±0.07

Bagrus bayad 50 0.8 19.21±0.21 13.50±0.55

Malapterurus electricus 40 0.7 51.54±0.55 19.33±0.30
Synodontis ocellifer 50 1.20 52.33±1.23 16.33±0.25
Clarias lezera 200 1.2 55.06±0.55 16.50±0.05
Clarias gariepinus 400 0.8 31.07±0.05 16.00±0.33
Tilapia zilli 200 1.7 30.08±0.33 12.05±0.01
Tilapia aurea 150 2.60 16.05±0.23 8.50±0.32
Epiplatys fasciolatus 200 2.2 17.60±0.21 9.33±0.20
Epiplatys sexfasciatus 500 0.04 3.50±0.53 6.05±0.05
Denticeps clupeoides 100 0.7 13.05±0.34 12.07±0.33
Bryconaethiops 50 0.3 13.21±0.01 3.7±0.35
quinquesquamae
4.2 DISCUSSION

A total of up to 16 fish species belonging to 11 families were caught using experimental gill nets

of 9 different stretched mesh sizes (although only first four were responsive) set across the

Ngbo-Agbaja River in Abakaliki by the local fishermen. This shows the versatility of gill nets in

being able to snare fish of any size and shape. This fish species composition of Ngbo-Agbaja

River is in line with the works of Nazeef et al (2018) who recorded 10 species from 9 families

while Mustapha (2009) reported twelve 12 species belonging to six (6) families were recorded at

Dogon ruwa water body with cichlids being dominant species, and Dankishiya et al., (2013)

reported eleven (11) species belonging to five (5) families from Usuma Reservoir. The 16 fish

species identified in the Ngbo-Agbaja River have also been observed by several fisheries‟

workers and researchers (Allison and Okadi, 2013; Oguntade et al., 2014) including species in
29
other families, and found to constitute the major fisheries of inland waters in Nigeria, due to their

ability to adapt to the physico-chemical parameters of the water bodies. The dominance of family

Clarotidae in the different stations of Ngbo-Agbaja River could be as a result of their feeding

habit and high rate of reproduction. Balogun et al., (2000) reported the dominance of Cichlidae

in the bottom habitat of Zaria Dam.

4.2.1 Fish Species Condition Factor (K)

In this study, the condition factor table (table 7) showed that out of the sixteen (12) species

identified; nine (9) species had K values less than 1 (allometric growth pattern) while 7 species

had K value greater than 1 (isometric growth pattern) with Tilapia aurea having the highest

value of K (2.60) and Epiplatys sexfasciatus having the least value (0.04). This result is in line

with the K values of Tilapia zilli reported by Nehemia et al., (2012). Suleiman et al (2018)

reported in their work that Schilbe mystus had the least K value of 0.71, this K value coincides

with K values of Polypterus ansorgei as recorded by Seiyaboh et al., (2017). Generally however

the differences in K values between and within species are attributable to the differences in stress

level, sex, season, availability of feeds, and water quality parameters Nehemia et al.,

(2012).Condition factor higher than 1.0 suggests good fish health condition and indicates an

isometric growth, which is desirable in fish farming (Ayode, 2011).

The „b‟ values in length-weight relationships determine the growth pattern of the fish species.

When b is equal to 3 or close to 3, growth in the fish is said to be isometric i.e. fish becomes

more robust with increasing length (Olurin and Aderibigbe, 2006; Christina et al., 2016).

Similarly when b is far less or greater than 3, growth in the fish is allometric which may be

positive if >3 or negative if <3, i.e. the fish becomes thinner with increase in length (Christina et

al., 2016).

The result of the present study showed that the growth of the fish species in the Dogon

Ruwa water body was allometric, that the fish become thinner with increase in length (Christina

30
et al., 2016). This was similar with documented works from Inland water bodies in Nigeria.

Notable among them are; the findings of Olatunde (1984) in commercial fish landings in Zaria

central market, Abowei and Hart (2009) in an investigation of some morphometric parameters of

10 fin fish species of Lower Nun River in Niger Delta, Ibrahim et al. (2009) in fish species of

Kontagora Reservoir, also Ude et al. (2011) made similar findings in an evaluation of length-

weight relationship of fish species of Ebonyi River and Alex Nehemia et al., (2012) in length-

weight relationship and condition factor of tilapia species grown in marine and fresh water

ponds.

The relationship of length-weight can be used in the estimation of condition factor (K) of

fish species. In fisheries science, the condition factor is used in order to compare the condition,

fatness or wellbeing of fish (Ahmed et al., 2011). It is based on the hypothesis that heavier fish

of a particular length are in a better physiological condition (Ahmed et al., 2011). Condition

factor is also a useful index for monitoring of feeding intensity, age and growth rates in fish

(Ndimele et al., 2010).Gupta et al. (2011) also reported that the difference in condition factor

could be due to the availability of food organisms at a particular time as well as the difference of

gonad development. It is strongly influence by both biotic and abiotic environmental conditions

and can be used as an index to assess the status of the aquatic ecosystem in which fish live

(Anene, 2005). The condition factors (K) of the twelve species in the present study range

between 0.59 and 3.56, which is similar to what was obtained in other tropical water bodies.

Kumolu-Johnson and Ndimele (2011) obtained a K-value of between 0.91 and 8.46 from Ologe

Lagoon in Lagos. But Ibrahim et al. (2012) recorded a mean K-value of 1.98 ± 0.35 in

Kontagora Reservoir in Niger State. While in Sudan Ahmed et al. (2011) recorded a K-value

range of 0.506 and 3.415. The mean K-values of species sampled had their value greater than 1

which was an indication that the fish species were doing well in the water body, even though is

less than the 2.9 to 4.8 reported by Bagenal and Tesch (1978) for mature fresh water fish, which

31
was attributed to variation in weight of individual fish sampled. All the fish species sampled in

the different sampling sites in the present study were within the normal ranges recommended by

Ujania et al. (2012) who stated that condition factor greater or equal to one is good, indicating a

good level of feeding, and proper environmental condition.

Table 7: Length-Weight Relationship and growth patterns of Fish Species in Ngbo-Agbaja River
in Abakaliki Eonyi State
Fish Species Mean Growth Pattern
Length-weight
Relationship
Heterotis niloticus 1.23 Positive Isometric
Mormyrus macrothalamus 2.12 Positive Isometric
Channa obscura 0.76 Negative Allometric
Auchenoglanis occidentalis 0.87 Negative Allometric
Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus 1.82 Positive Isometric
Bagrus bayad 0.87 Negative Allometric
Malapterurus electricus 0.75 Negative Allometric
Synodontis ocellifer 0.87 Negative Allometric
Clarias lezera 0.87 Negative Allometric
Clarias gariepinus 1.65 Positive Isometric
Tilapia Zilli 2.01 Positive Isometric
Tilapia aurea 2.23 Positive Isometric
Epiplatys fasciolatus 0.87 Negative Allometric
Epiplatys sexfasciatus 2.11 Positive Isometric
Denticeps clupeoides 1.53 Positive Isometric
Bryconaethiops quinquesquamae 1.32 Positive Isometric

4.2.2 Fish Species Biodiversity

In this study, a total of sixteen (16) species belonging to eleven (11) families were identified and

recorded with Clarotidae being the dominant family in the fish community. This result is slightly

higher than the total of ten (10) species belonging to nine (9) families identified by Suleiman et

32
al., (2018) with mormyrids being the dominant species. This fish species composition of is in

line with the works of Jin et al., (2015) where twelve 12 species belonging to six (6) families

were recorded at Dogon ruwa water body with cichlids being dominant species, and Dankishiya

et al., (2013) reported eleven (11) species belonging to five (5) families from Usuma Reservoir.

The management of fish biodiversity and associated habitats is a huge task (Nazeef and

Abubakar, 2013).

An estimation of the species composition is important to the study of a stock’s dynamics and in

the management of species. However, the fish species composition of Ngbo-Agbaja River is

significantly higher than that of (Ahmad et al., 2014), who reported a total of eight (8) species

belonging to four (4) families in Katsina State water body. This may be due to the large size of

Ngbo-Agbaja River which may accommodate large volume of species. However, the Ngbo-

Agbaja River fish species composition is lesser than the findings of Ali and Abubakar, (2015)

who reported twenty six (26) species belonging to 14 families with bagrids and mormyrids being

the dominant species in Dadin-kowa dam, fifteen (15) species belonging to eleven (11) families

were reported in the same Dadin-kowa dam (Nazeef and Abubakar, 2013). This low species

representation of the Ngbo-Agbaja River as compared to the aforementioned study sites may be

due to the large size of dam, riverine tributaries, moderate fish exploitation and different lake-

basin morphometry.

In this study; the dominance of Clarotidae followed by Notobranchiidae is in line with the

findings of Arome and Ugondo, (2014). The abundance in terms of species and number, this

large number of individuals may be due to the availability of phytoplankton, diverse food

supplements, prolific capabilities and good parental care as stated by Ayamre et al., (2016). Also

Mustapha, (2009) stated that fish adaptability to lacustrine environment attributes to their

dominance. Similar result was reported by Nazeef et al., (2018) on the biodiversity and condition

factor of species from Challawa Gorge dam

33
4.2.3 Relative Species Abundance

Relative abundance refers to how common or rare a species is, relative to other species in a given

location or community (Hubell, 2001; McGill et al., 2007). Relative species abundance and

species richness describe key elements of biodiversity (Hubell, 2001). The relative abundance is

calculated as the number of organisms of a particular kind as a percentage of the total number of

organisms of a given area or community; the number of fish of a particular species as a

percentage of the total fish population of a given area (Krohne, 2001).Adeosun et al. (2011)

reported that the preponderance of cichlids in Ikere Gorge could be attributed to their ability to

thrive on a wide variety of foods and provision of suitable breeding and shelter ground provided

by colonization of the banks with green plants.

Clarotidae was the most abundant family followed by Notobranchiidae. The dominance of

family Clarotidae in the different sampling stations of Ngbo-Agbaja River could be as a result of

their feeding habit and high rate of reproduction. The present study also revealed that family

Channidae recorded the highest weight at the sampled stations. This disagrees with the findings

of Adeosun et al., (2011), who reported the dominant of Cichlidae both in number and weight at

Ikere water body in Oyo State, Nigeria. Kwata Bello had the highest fish distribution by number.

The distribution of Clarotidae at Ngbo-Agbaja River could be due to their location and

availability of food. In addition, Auchenoglanis occidentalis dominated the Clarotidae family in

Ngbo-Agbaja River. Ibrahim et al. (2009) and Balogun and Auta (2001), reported that

Hemichromis fasciatus dominated the Cichilids in Kontagora reservoir and Kangimi reservoir.

While in Tiga Lake, Bakolori reservoir and Lake Kainji Sarotherodon galilaeus and

Oreochromisniloticus dominated the Cichlids (Balogun, 2005). This could be due to differences

in feeding habits, behavior and population.

34
 CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion

Monitoring the status and trends of freshwater biodiversity is essential to quantify impacts of

human activities of fresh water systems. It is only then that appropriate management strategies

could be evolved to check anthropogenic impacts that have delirious effects on the fishery. This

will be a right step to improving freshwater biodiversity conservation, with a resultant effect of

improved livelihoods of the rural populace who depend on the resources for survival. It is

recommended that government and other stakeholders enlighten the users of the inland rivers on

the need for sustainable use of the resources. Agencies responsible for monitoring the

environment should implement existing laws that protect biodiversity in the inland freshwater

systems.

5.2 Recommendation

Results from this survey provids useful information for a prediction of annual fishery catch from

local manmade ponds in the Abakaliki Eonyi State. The results obtained from our study underpin

the following recommendation:

• Natural and local man-made rivers should be allowed to fallow so as to enhance fishery

production.

• Industrial activities that result to a fragmentation of freshwater swamps should be avoided not

to affect aquatic habitats negatively.

• The use of biological chemicals like gammalin 20 for fishing within swamps should be

prohibited in order to conserve species and to avoid extinction.

35
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Appendix 1
ANOVA for Mean Weight and Mean Standard Lenght
Descriptives
N Mean Std. Std. Error 95% Confidence Interval Minimum Maximum
Deviation for Mean
Lower Upper
Bound Bound
1.00 3 24.3333 .57735 .33333 22.8991 25.7676 24.00 25.00
2.00 3 59.0000 1.00000 .57735 56.5159 61.4841 58.00 60.00
3.00 3 77.0000 1.00000 .57735 74.5159 79.4841 76.00 78.00
4.00 3 44.6667 1.52753 .88192 40.8721 48.4612 43.00 46.00
5.00 3 18.0000 1.00000 .57735 15.5159 20.4841 17.00 19.00
6.00 3 51.0000 1.00000 .57735 48.5159 53.4841 50.00 52.00
7.00 3 55.0000 1.00000 .57735 52.5159 57.4841 54.00 56.00
MW 8.00 3 32.3333 1.52753 .88192 28.5388 36.1279 31.00 34.00
9.00 3 31.0000 1.00000 .57735 28.5159 33.4841 30.00 32.00
10.00 3 16.0000 1.00000 .57735 13.5159 18.4841 15.00 17.00
11.00 3 17.0000 1.00000 .57735 14.5159 19.4841 16.00 18.00
12.00 3 3.0000 1.00000 .57735 .5159 5.4841 2.00 4.00
13.00 3 13.0000 1.00000 .57735 10.5159 15.4841 12.00 14.00
14.00 3 14.0000 1.00000 .57735 11.5159 16.4841 13.00 15.00
Total 42 32.5238 21.08200 3.25302 25.9542 39.0934 2.00 78.00
1.00 3 19.0000 1.00000 .57735 16.5159 21.4841 18.00 20.00
2.00 3 22.0000 1.00000 .57735 19.5159 24.4841 21.00 23.00
3.00 3 22.1667 .28868 .16667 21.4496 22.8838 22.00 22.50
4.00 3 14.0000 1.00000 .57735 11.5159 16.4841 13.00 15.00
5.00 3 12.0000 1.00000 .57735 9.5159 14.4841 11.00 13.00
6.00 3 13.0000 1.00000 .57735 10.5159 15.4841 12.00 14.00
7.00 3 19.0000 1.00000 .57735 16.5159 21.4841 18.00 20.00
MTL 8.00 3 16.6333 .55076 .31798 15.2652 18.0015 16.00 17.00
9.00 3 16.5333 .15275 .08819 16.1539 16.9128 16.40 16.70
10.00 3 16.1667 .28868 .16667 15.4496 16.8838 16.00 16.50
11.00 3 12.1667 .28868 .16667 11.4496 12.8838 12.00 12.50
12.00 3 8.5333 .15275 .08819 8.1539 8.9128 8.40 8.70
13.00 3 9.0000 1.00000 .57735 6.5159 11.4841 8.00 10.00
14.00 3 5.8000 .75498 .43589 3.9245 7.6755 5.00 6.50
Total 42 14.7143 4.89547 .75539 13.1887 16.2398 5.00 23.00

48
 ANOVA
Sum of Squares Df Mean Square F Sig.
Between Groups 18190.476 13 1399.267 1224.359 .000
MW Within Groups 32.000 28 1.143
Total 18222.476 41
Between Groups 966.251 13 74.327 127.366 .000
MTL Within Groups 16.340 28 .584
Total 982.591 41

Post Hoc Tests

Homogeneous Subsets

MW
Duncan
Sp N Subset for alpha = 0.05
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
3.000
12.00 3
0
13.000
13.00 3
0
14.000
14.00 3
0
16.000
10.00 3
0
17.000 17.000
11.00 3
0 0
18.000
5.00 3
0
24.333
1.00 3
3
31.000
9.00 3
0
32.333
8.00 3
3
44.666
4.00 3
7
51.000
6.00 3
0
55.000
7.00 3
0

49
 59.000
2.00 3
0
3.00 3 77.0000
Sig. 1.000 .262 .262 .262 1.000 .138 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000

MTL
Duncan
Sp N Subset for alpha = 0.05
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
14.00 3 5.8000
12.00 3 8.5333
13.00 3 9.0000
5.00 3 12.0000
11.00 3 12.1667
6.00 3 13.0000 13.0000
4.00 3 14.0000
10.00 3 16.1667
9.00 3 16.5333
8.00 3 16.6333
1.00 3 19.0000
7.00 3 19.0000
2.00 3 22.0000
3.00 3 22.1667
Sig. 1.000 .461 .140 .120 .487 1.000 .791

Water Quality Parameters

Descriptives

N Mean Std. Std. Error 95% Confidence Interval for Minimum Maximum
Deviation Mean

Lower Upper Bound

Bound

DO 1.00 3 4.6667 .57735 .33333 3.2324 6.1009 4.00 5.00

2.00 3 5.3333 .57735 .33333 3.8991 6.7676 5.00 6.00

3.00 3 5.3333 .57735 .33333 3.8991 6.7676 5.00 6.00

4.00 3 5.3333 .57735 .33333 3.8991 6.7676 5.00 6.00

50
 Total 12 5.1667 .57735 .16667 4.7998 5.5335 4.00 6.00
1.00 3 8.0000 .86603 .50000 5.8487 10.1513 7.00 8.50
2.00 3 7.1667 1.25831 .72648 4.0409 10.2925 6.00 8.50
pH 3.00 3 7.6667 .76376 .44096 5.7694 9.5640 7.00 8.50
4.00 3 6.6667 .76376 .44096 4.7694 8.5640 6.00 7.50
Total 12 7.3750 .95644 .27610 6.7673 7.9827 6.00 8.50
1.00 3 27.6667 .57735 .33333 26.2324 29.1009 27.00 28.00
2.00 3 26.6667 .57735 .33333 25.2324 28.1009 26.00 27.00
Temp 3.00 3 27.0000 1.00000 .57735 24.5159 29.4841 26.00 28.00
4.00 3 27.3333 .57735 .33333 25.8991 28.7676 27.00 28.00
Total 12 27.1667 .71774 .20719 26.7106 27.6227 26.00 28.00
1.00 3 .2333 .05774 .03333 .0899 .3768 .20 .30

2.00 3 .1667 .05774 .03333 .0232 .3101 .10 .20

NH3 3.00 3 .0833 .02887 .01667 .0116 .1550 .05 .10

4.00 3 .1333 .05774 .03333 -.0101 .2768 .10 .20

Total 12 .1542 .07217 .02083 .1083 .2000 .05 .30

ANOVA

Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.

Between Groups 1.000 3 .333 1.000 .441

DO Within Groups 2.667 8 .333

Total 3.667 11
Between Groups 3.062 3 1.021 1.167 .381
pH Within Groups 7.000 8 .875
Total 10.063 11
Between Groups 1.667 3 .556 1.111 .400
Temp Within Groups 4.000 8 .500
Total 5.667 11
Between Groups .036 3 .012 4.385 .042

NH3 Within Groups .022 8 .003

Total .057 11

pH
Duncan
Post Hoc Tests
TRT N Subset for alpha
Homogeneous Subsets
= 0.05

1
DO
4.00 3 6.6667
51 2.00 3 7.1667
3.00 3 7.6667
1.00 3 8.0000
Sig. .139
Duncan

TRT N Subset for alpha

= 0.05

1.00 3 4.6667
2.00 3 5.3333
3.00 3 5.3333
4.00 3 5.3333
Sig. .220

Temp
NH3
Duncan
Duncan
TRT N Subset for
TRT N Subset for alpha =
alpha = 0.05
0.05
1
1 2
2.00 3 26.6667
3.00 3 .0833
3.00 3 27.0000
4.00 3 .1333 .1333
4.00 3 27.3333
2.00 3 .1667 .1667
1.00 3 27.6667
1.00 3 .2333
Sig. .142
Sig. .097 .054

52
APPENDICES

53