Seasonal Evaluation of Physico-Chemical Parameters for sustainability of Oreochromis niloticus, Auchenoglanis occidentalis and Mormyrus rume at River Niger, Axis, Onitsha. Nigeria.

Abstract

Human population of Anambra state is increasing at an alarming rate thus increasing the rate of anthropogenic waste into the various rivers in the state. Hence seasonal evaluation of some physicochemical parameters of River Niger, Onitsha was studied to ascertain their effect on Oreochromis niloticus, Auchenoglanis occidentalis and Mormyrus rume sustainability. In the method water and fish samples were collected from three sampling locations; Onitsha (marine), Ogbaru and Nsugbe from March 2022 to November 2023, fortnightly, for 18 months. Water samples were collected by dipping a sterilized 200 ml plastic container below the surface of water body for analyzing physico-chemical parameters using APHA 2005 method, only water temperature was measured in-situ, other analysis was done in the Chemistry Laboratory of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli. Fish samples were collected between 9.00- 11.00 am from artisanal fishermen operating along Onitsha (marine), Ogbaru and Nsugbe locations. A total of 201 Oreochromis niloticus, 92 Auchenoglanis occidentalis and 168 Mormyrus rume were collected. SPSS version 25 and Microsoft Excel sheet were used to analyze and managed data collected. In the result, all the water parameters studied were significantly related to the fish species and seasons (p<0.05). River Niger axis Onitsha has adequate physico- chemical parameters. This study contributed to the knowledge that River Niger water condition support fish growth at wet and dry seasons.