EVALUATION OF SEASONAL OCCURRENCE OF CAT FISH FAMILIES IN EBONYI RIVER, NIGERIA

Abstract

An evaluation of the seasonal occurrence of catfish families in Ebonyi River was conducted from September 2006 to
February 2008. An aspect of the biological integrity of the river to promote effective biodiversity conservation of the
aquatic living resources was studied. One thousand and eighty (1080) fishes were caught using hook and line, gill
nets, cast nets, bag nets and traps of mesh sizes ranging from 50 mm to 100 mm. Two hundred and ninety seven
were catfishes belonging to five families namely Amphilidae, Ariidae, Bagridae, Clariidae and Mochokidae.
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine their seasonal differences. Means recorded for family
Amphilidae were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from each other. The highest value for Bagridae was
recorded in dry season. Monthly values were significantly different (P < 0.05) from each other. The Mean values
recorded for Clariidae across months were significantly different (P < 0.01) from each other, with the highest
recorded in wet season. The mean values recorded for Mochokidae across months were significantly different (P <
0.01; with the highest value recorded towards the end of dry season. The resources of Ebonyi River present strong
economic potential for the sustenance of the rural populace and promotion of their nutritional status if management
strategies to enhance healthy biological integrity are implemented.