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Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org

ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online)
Vol.3, No.6, 2013

Ornamental Fish Species Potentials of Ikpa River in Akwa Ibom

State, Nigeria.
Imaobong Emmanuel Ekpo
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environmental Management, University of Uyo, P. M. B. 1017, UYO –
520001, Akwa Ibom State – Nigeria.
Corresponding address: [email protected]; +234-8026073996.

Abstract
Fish species were investigated for 12 calendar months from March 2009 – February 2010 forthnightly using
traps, gillnets and cast nets from three sampling stations in Ikpa River. Ornamental fish species were sorted out
from the pooled samples. The findings revealed that of the 2307 fish specimens sampled, 1074 specimens made
up of 38 species and 19 families were of indigenous ornamental fish. The highest contributing family in terms of
number of species is Cichlidae (10 species) whereas Schilbeidae (593 specimens; 55.21%) is the highest
contributor in terms of total number of specimens sampled. This is followed by Mochokidae and Mormyridae
with 4 species each and Cichlidae with 158 specimens (14.70%). At the species level, the highest contributor is
Physalia pellucida (577 specimens; 53.72%) and is followed by Erpetoichthys calabaricus (60 specimens;
5.59%). The least contributors were Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Periophthalmus barbarus and Pelvicachromis
pulcher (1 specimen; 0.09%). Twelve families recorded only one species each. These great potentials of
ornamental fish have been left unexploited and hence, undeveloped. Several species of ornamental fish have
been imported into and exported from Nigeria by businessmen. This paper, therefore, highlights the constraints
and also makes recommendations for the exploitation and development of ornamental fishery in Akwa Ibom
State and its environs.
Keywords: Exotic, Ornamental, Indigenous, Fish species, Ikpa River.

1. Introduction
Ornamental fish is often used as a generic term to describe aquatic animals kept in the aquarium, including fish,
invertebrates such as corals, crustaceans (e.g. crab, hermit crab, and shrimps), mollusk (e.g. snail, clams, scallops)
and also live rock (Ukaonu et al., 2011). There is an ever-increasing awareness of the need to develop the
ornamental fishery industry in Nigeria. This development arises from the realization of the role the sector plays
in the overall socio-economic development of the country. Nigeria is blessed with a diversity of fish species most
of which are of ornamental value. Ornamental fish trade gained interest in the early nineteenth century especially
in the western part of Nigeria, although its development is still very much lower than what is obtained in the
other parts of the world and in Africa, Nigeria has the highest population of ornamental fish industry, and with
the city of Lagos as the commercial capital (Mbawuike and Pepple 2003, Mbawuike and Nwadukwe, 2007 and
Ukaonu et al., 2011). In East Africa where this fishery is well developed, it serves as a major foreign exchange
earner. Quite like what obtains in the Upper and Lower Benue River Basin, these fish species which are of
ornamental value are yet to be fully exploited for ornamental purposes. Ornamental fisheries could still be
described to be at its infancy. Mbawuike et al., (2007) reported that live fish exporters association based in Lagos,
began effective trade about 1992 when the Inland Fisheries Decree was promulgated. With the global trend in
ornamental fish trade and the foreign exchange earning potential of the trade, several businessmen in Nigeria
have been involved in the exportation of various indigenous ornamental fish species (NIFFR, 2002).
Ikpa River in Akwa Ibom State is blessed with several and great potentials of these species. No fishfarm rears or
develops ornamental species in the State. However, there is paucity of information on these fish species.
Considering the economic, social and scientific importance of ornamental fisheries, this paper, therefore aims at
providing baseline information on the checklist of the various ornamental fishes that are available in Ikpa River
which will serve as a benchmark for the exploitation and development of these great potentials.

2. Materials and methods

Ikpa River is situated in Akwa Ibom State within the rainforest zone of southeastern Nigeria It is a small
perennial rainforest tributary located west of the lower reaches of the Cross River system. It drains a catchment
area of 516.5km2, 14.8% (76.5km2) of which is prone to annual flooding. The stream has a main channel with
total length of 53.5km between its source in Ikono Local Government Area and where it discharges into the

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ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online)
Vol.3, No.6, 2013

Cross River creek close to Nwaniba in Uruan Local Government Area. The length of the main channel lies at the
interface of two different geological deposits: tertiary sedimentary rocks and cretaceous deposits (King 1994).
The lower reaches are susceptible to annual flooding of the fringing low land riparian zone during the rainy
season. The non-flooded zones of the upper reaches have a basin area of 440km2 (85.2%) and mean depth and
width of 2.0m and 12.5m respectively. Most of the stream is considerably shaded by overhanging canopy of
riparian vegetation (mostly Elaeis guineensis, Pandanus, Raphia hookeri, R. vinifera and other tropical forest
trees). The aquatic macrophytes are mainly Nymphaea, Vossia, Utricularia and Musanga crinium. The survey
area is typically tropical with two main seasons: the rainy and the dry season. The rainy season characterized by
heavy thunderstorms lasts from April to October, while the dry season covers the remaining months of
November to March. The monthly distribution of rainfall shows a noticeable fluctuation in the month of August
usually termed as- the "August break". The mean annual rainfall varies from 2250mm to about 1,500mm. The
average minimum and maximum temperatures are about 25°C and 32°C respectively. The rainy season is
characterized throughout the area by relatively high temperatures (25°C -33°C) and high relative humidity
(85-95%). The dry season is characterized by the dry harmattan winds whose intensity is more felt from late
November to early January. The mean annual potential evapo—transpiration (PET) varies from 1425mm to
1625mm (Adedipe et al., 1996).
Several fishing methods were used in a standardized manner to collect the maximum number of species and
individuals in different microhabitats forthnightly for twelve calendar months from March 2009 – February 2010.
Fishing equipment included cast nets (with mesh size of 10–25mm), gillnets (with stretched mesh size of
10-30mm) and traps (of various types and designs) during the day time in all the sampling sites. Specimens were
identified from family to species levels with the aid of identification keys such as Olaosebikan and Raji (1988),
Idodo-Umeh (2005) and Adesulu and Sydenham (2007). Inquiries were made through interviews with fish farm
and aquaria owners within the State.
Relative abundance of each fish species was computed from the pooled data in all the sampling stations as the
percentage of the number of each individual fish over the total number of fish as follows:
FO = n/N × 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------(1)
Where,
FO = Frequency of occurrence
n = Number of individual fish species
N = Total number of all the fish species

3. Results
Table 1 reveals that the indigenous ornamental fishery of Ikpa River is made up of 19 fish families and 38
species making up the 1074 specimens sampled; the total being 2307specimens. The highest contributing family
in terms of number of species is Cichlidae (10 species) whereas Schilbeidae (593 specimens; 55.21%) is the
highest contributor in terms of total number of specimens sampled. This is followed by Mochokidae and
Mormyridae with 4 species each and Cichlidae with 158 specimens (14.70%). At the species level, the highest
contributor is Physalia pellucida (577 specimens; 53.72%) and is followed by Erpetoichthys calabaricus (60
specimens; 5.59%). The least contributors were Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Periophthalmus barbarus and
Pelvicachromis pulcher (1 specimen; 0.09%). Twelve families recorded only one species each.
The fishery in Akwa Ibom State is far from being commenced irrespective of the global trend and the abundant
resources in terms of water and attended ornamental fish species in them. She is neither a member of Association
of Ornamental Fish Farmers and Exporters of Nigeria (AOFFEN) nor any other body which fosters the
development of ornamental fishery in and outside Nigeria. No fish farmer grows ornamental species of fish. The
collectors deal directly with the fisher folks who catch these ornamentals from the wild. There are no breeders in
the State. A few keepers of beautiful fish in aquaria in the parlours of their houses and offices were encountered.
These were just for the fond / hobby of it but not for business, though with the attended problems. The sources of
these species were either from the wild or imported. Poor handling led to mortality. The fish species were feed
with diet locally made or imported feeds which sells for ₦1000:00 per small bag. Keepers of ornamental fishes
were scientists (Lecturers), civil servants, politicians, and institution like Department of Fisheries and
Aquaculture, University of Uyo, Uyo. Some selected ornamental fish species imported into Nigeria are presented
in Table 2. A few ornamental fish owners have used some of these exotic species.

4. Discussion
Akwa Ibom State is blessed with numerous water bodies both inland and coastal and even marine which house
several species of ornamental fish. This study revealed that there are 38 ornamental fish species distributed in 19

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Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online)
Vol.3, No.6, 2013

families. This is a high diversity when compared with its contemporaries in other water bodies or checklists in
Nigeria. Some authors have researched on ornamental fish in Nigeria: NIFFRI (2002) zoned the river basins into
five reported on ornamental fish composition to be as follow: Upper/Lower Benue River and Chad Basins (8
species), Hadejia-Jama'are Sokoto Rima River Basins (8 species), Upper/Lower Niger River Basins (17
species), Osun-Ogun and Owena River Basins (18 species) and Anambra/Imo Niger Delta and Cross River
Basins (21 species); Mbawuike and Pepple (2003) noted that there are over fifty indigenous ornamental fish
species sourced from the wild that are currently being exported from Nigeria; Mbawuike and Ajado (2005)
reported of 24 species of ornamental fish species in Ibiaiegbende (Lagos); Mbawuike and Nwadukwe (2007)
reported that there are about twenty ornamental fish species that are in high demand and are presently being
exported from Nigeria while Ukaonu et al., (2011) listed 70 ornamental fish in Nigeria.. The authors ascribed
this low number of the species to be associated with the fact that several colourful species occur in Asia and
South America where the ornamental fish export trade is highly developed. In East Africa where this fishery is
well developed, it serves as a major foreign exchange earner (NIFFRI, 2002). The species of ornamental fish
obtained have a good mix-up with different feeding habits that can be managed from locally available feedstuffs.
For instance, the tilapine species can be reared on simple low cost feeds. Moreso, a good mix-up can give rise to
a polyculture which with good management procedures can lead to profit making enterprise. The high relative
abundance of the Schilbeidae (593 specimens; 55.21%) over the Cichlidae (158 specimens; 14.70%) is
occasioned by the numerical strength of P. pellucida (577 specimens; 53.72%) which are very small-bodied
species. Erpetoichthys calabaricus (60 specimens; 5.59%) is another beautiful fish that had high abundance.
Other species that abound in the system include M. electricus, O. niloticus, T. mariae, T. zillii, C. nigrodigitatus,
G. courteti and B. nurse. Exotic ornamental species commonly used in most parts of the country including Akwa
Ibom State is gold fish (Carassius auratus).

The State is blessed with numerous fish farms but they are not interested in exploiting its ornamental fish
potentials. The keepers chose ornamental fishes on the basis of low feeding habits, colour, shapes, sizes,
hardiness, ability to adapt to life in captivity and attractive display. There is no case of any keeper who chose
ornamental fish on the basis of ugliness but on the beauty of creation. There are different sources of ornamental
fish species by the different keepers. NIFFRI (2002) showed that four keepers in Abia and Cross River States
sourced for ornamental fish from fish farms whereas two keepers in Calabar (Metro Hotel) Cross river and Awkà,
Anambra State sourced for ornamental fish by importation. The authors further reported that three keepers
sourced for ornamental fish by importation and fish farm while four keepers sourced by breeding, all in Anambra
State. Three keepers in Enugu State sourced for ornamental fish from Aquarium Shops. Some keepers agreed
that ornamental fishes make home livelier and beautiful, reduces stress, entertainment to visitors and almost a
tourism center.
Globally, the ornamental fish trade and its associated industries have important economic status and a major
source of overseas income in Africa, South America and South East Asia (Ukaonu et al., 2011). These authors
also reported that in 2006, NAOFFEN was made up of 60 members but only 40 companies had the export permit
in 2007 but between 2009 and 2010 about 29-33 companies got the export permit. This shows a decrease in the
business which is occasioned by so many constraints as also observed by NIFFRI (2002) to include unstable
power supply, non availability of artificially formulated feeds, lack of financial support from government and
other corporate bodies, ignorance of the potentials of the fishery, unavailability of exotic species locally, ready
markets, constant supply from the wild and lack of specific feeds for specific species. Therefore, the high species
richness in the inland water of Ikpa River could sustain the ornamental fishery business in Akwa Ibom State if
utilized and developed.

5. Conclusion and recommendations

With this rich endowment of ornamental species from the wild, farm owners and other businessmen can go into
the business in large scale and become registered members. However, greater awareness need to be created on
the economic, scientific, ecology, biology and social benefits of ornamental fishes in the State and Nigeria at
large.
From the foregoing, the following recommendations are proffered:
1. There should be statistical data documentation of ornamental fishery resources in the State.
2. Researches on the biology and culture of these species should be encouraged by the Government and
institutions.
3. The State map with pictures of all ornamental fishes in all the water bodies in the State should be prepared.
4. The Socio-Economics and Extension Programme should be supported to carry out an enlightenment campaign

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ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online)
Vol.3, No.6, 2013

on the values of ornamental fisheries.

5. Closed areas should be created with laws prohibiting fishing in those areas.
6. Obnoxious fishing methods should be stopped with penalties attached.

Acknowledgements
This paper is an excerpt from a Ph. D research supervised by Prof. G. C. Onuoha and Dr. L. A. Chude to whom I
am very grateful. This study was possible by a Staff Development Award from the University of Uyo, Uyo; she
deserves immense gratitude. My sincere thanks also go to the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University
of Uyo, Uyo, for providing the necessary facilities used in this work.

References
Adedipe, N. Q.; Bakshi, J. S.; Odegbaro, 0. A. and Atiyu, A. (1996). Evolving the Nigerian Agricultural Research
Strategy plan: Agro-ecological inputs. National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) 486 p.
Adesulu, E. A. and Sydenham, D. H. J. (2007). The freshwater fishes and fisheries of Nigeria. Macmillian
Nigerian Publishers’ Ltd, Nigeria. 317pp.
Idodo-Umeh, G. (2003). Freshwater fishes of Nigeria. Idodo-Umeh Publishers, Nigeria. 229pp.
King, R. P. 1994: Seasonal dynamics in the trophic status of Papyrocranus afer (Gunter, 1868) (Notopteridae) in
a Nigerian Rainforest Stream. Revue of Tropical Hydrobiology, 27(2): 143-155.
Mbawuike, B.C. and Pepple, P.C.G. (2003). Inventory of locally available ornamental fish species in Nigeria
export trade. Journal of sustainable tropical agriculture research (JOSTAR), 403:1-7.
Mbawuike, B. C. and Ajado, E. (2005). Assessment of ornamental fish species and fishing methods in
Ibiaiegbende, Lagos state, Nigeria. African Journal of Applied Zoology and Environmental Biology, 7: 23-27.
Mbawuike, B. C. and Nwadukwe, F. O. (2007). The role of women in ornamental fish industry in Lagos State,
Nigeria. African Journal of Applied Zoology & Environmental Biology, 9: 59 – 62.
Mbawuike, B. C.; Nwadukwe, F. O. and Ayaobu-Cookey, I. K. (2007). Handling and transportation of
ornamental fish in Lagos State, Nigeria. African Journal of Applied Zoology & Environmental Biology, 9: 38
– 43.
National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR) (2002). National survey of ornamental fishes in
Nigeria inland water bodies. NIFFR Occasional Paper No.3. New Bussa, Nigeria. 40p.
Olaosebikan, B. D. and Raji, A. (1988). Field guide to Nigerian freshwater fishes. Federal College of Freshwater
Fisheries Technology, New Bussa. 103 pp.
Ukaonu, S.U., Mbawuike, B. C., Oluwajoba, E. O., Williams, A. B., Ajuonu, N. Omogoriola, H. O., Olakolu, F.
C. Adegbile, O. M. and Myade, E. F. (2011). Volume and value of ornamental fishes in the Nigerian export trade.
Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America, 2(4): 662 – 664.

Dr. (Mrs) Imaobong E. Ekpo became a member of Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) in
2008 and Organization of Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) in 2012. The author was born in
Ibiaku Ntok Okpo (Akwa Ibom State – Nigeria) in 1968. She obtained her B.Sc. in Fisheries and M.Sc. in
Hydrobiology & Fish Biology from University of Uyo, Uyo and Ph. D in Fisheries and Hydrobiology from
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia. She is a lecturer and research environmental scientist in the
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environmental Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo,
Uyo in Nigeria. Her research interest is in the areas of hydrobiology, fisheries and biodiversity.

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ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online)
Vol.3, No.6, 2013

Table 1: Checklist of indigenous ornamental fish species in Ikpa River, Nigeria.

Family Scientific name Common name N %N
Malapterinidae Malapterurus electricus Electric fish 16 1.49
TOTAL 16 1.49
Cichlidae Hemichromis bimaculatus Jewel fish 1 0.09
ˮ H. fasciatus ˮ 14 1.30
ˮ O. niloticus Nile tilapia 31 2.89
Tilapia guineensis Guinea tilapia 14 1.30
ˮ T. mariae Spotted /zebra tilapia 33 3.07
ˮ T. zillii Red belly tilapia 25 2.33
ˮ Chromidotilapia guntheri Mouth brooder 8 0.74
ˮ Pelvicachromis pulcher Kribienis 5 0.47
ˮ P. taeniatus ˮ 1 0.09
ˮ Sarotherodon galilaeus ˮ 10 0.93
TOTAL 158 14.70
Mormyridae Brienomyrus brachyistus Whales short-nose 2 0.19
ˮ Mormyrus rume Elephant snout fish 6 0.56
ˮ Gnathonemus petersii Trunkfish 7 0.65
ˮ Marcusenius ihuysi Marble catfish 5 0.47
TOTAL 20 1.87
Clariidae Heterobranchus bidorsalis Catfish 1 0.09
H. longifilis Mud catfish 11 1.02
TOTAL 12 1.11
Schilbeidae Physalia pellucida Glass catfish 577 53.72
ˮ Schilbe mystus Butterfly fish 16 1.49
TOTAL 593 55.21
Bagridae Auchenoglanis occidentalis Catfish 2 0.19
ˮ Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus Silver catfish 28 2.70
TOTAL 30 2.89
Channidae Parachanna obscura Snakehead 2 0.19
TOTAL 2 0.19
Citharinidae Citharinus citharius Moon fish 8 0.74
TOTAL 8 0.74
Anabantidae Ctenopoma kingslayae Climbing perch 5 0.47
TOTAL 5 0.47
Mochokidae Synodontis gobroni Catfish 6 0.56
ˮ S. courteti ˮ 34 3.17
ˮ S. eupterus ˮ 13 1.21
ˮ S. nigrita Upside down catfish 7 0.65
TOTAL 60 5.59
Notopteridae Papyrocranus afer Feather back 5 0.47
TOTAL 5 0.47
Polypteridae Erpetoichthys calabaricus Reed fish 60 5.59
TOTAL 60 5.59
Characidae Brycinus nurse Silversides 48 4.47
ˮ B. leuciscus Blue diamond 13 1.21
TOTAL 61 5.68
Hepsetidae Hepsetus odoe African Pike 33 3.07
TOTAL 33 3.07
Osteoglossidae Heterotis niloticus Bony tongue 8 0.74
TOTAL 8 0.74
Icthyboridae Phago loricatus Pike 4 0.37
TOTAL 4 0.37
Monodactylidae Monodactylus sebae Mono 10 0.93
TOTAL 10 0.93

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ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online)
Vol.3, No.6, 2013

Lattidae Lates niloticus Lates 4 0.37

TOTAL 4 0.37
Gobiidae Periophthalmus barbarus Mudskipper 1 0.09
TOTAL 1 0.09
GRAND TOTAL 1074 100

Table 2: List of some exotic/imported ornamental fish species used in Nigeria.

Family Species Common name
Cyprinidae Carassius auratus Gold fish
Cichlidae Gitong biyayo Red tilapia
Betontidae Betontiid sp Gouramis
Cyprinidae Cyprinus sp Koi carp
Pomacanthidae Pomacanthus paru Angel fish
Chaetodontidae Chaetodontis arcuatus Butterfly fish
Source: NIFFR, 2002

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