PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND FISH COMPOSITION IN A SEGMENT OF RIVER ROMI, KADUNA

Abstract

This study was carried out in 2016 to assess the physico-chemical parameters and fish abundance in a stretch of River Romi, Kaduna. The water and fish samples were collected monthly for ten months (January-October, 2016). pH, water temperature (T), electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) were conducted in-situ with the use of HANNA Combo multi meter H13952, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD) were conducted using modified Winkler Azide Method, chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate (NO3-), ammonia (NH3), phosphate (PO4) and sulphate (PO4) were determined ex-situ using classical titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods. EC, TDS, COD, NO3, NH3, PO4, SO4 do not conform to national and international standards for drinking water and protection of aquatic environment. The fish species collected were identified to species level using
standard keys. A total of 1096 fish species belonging to 10 families were caught; Clariidae with 3 species, Alestidae with only 1 species, Cichlidae with 3 species, Cyprinidae had the highest number of 4 species, Mormyridae with 2, Schilbeidae with only 1 species, Mochokidae with 1 species, Bagridae with 1 species, Clarotidae with 1 species and finally Malapteruridae with only 1 species. It is recommended that fishes in the River Romi need to be protected as the river Romi is an important fish habitat.