DIVERSITY AND RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF FISH SPECIES IN GOMBE ABBA RIVER, GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The Diversity and Relative Abundance of Fish Species in Gombe Abba River was conducted
between April and June, 2018. Fish samples were collected bi-weekly at the selected landing sites
from the local fishermen as soon as they returned from their catch. The fish samples were stored
in sampling bucket and were transported to the laboratory, Biological Sciences Department,
Gombe State University for identification, using Field Guide to Nigerian fresh water fishes
(Babatunde and Raji, 2004). The study revealed eight (8) species representing eight (8) families
with the following percentages, Mormyrus rume, 23.16% as the most abundant fish fauna in the
river, followed by Oreochromis niloticus, 21.05%; Barlius niloticus, 18.42%; Clarias lazera,
11.05%; Alestes leuciscus, 9.21%; Schilbe mystus, 7.90%; Nannocharax spp, 5.26% and
Marcusenius spp having the least abundant of the total fish species identified (3.95%). The result
revealed few species composition compared to other rivers. This may be due to fishing pressure,
differences in physico-chemical parameters, seasonal preferential and some of the species are
carnivores (e.g. Marcusenius spp). Therefore, a detailed and longer research should be undertaken
on this river to elucidate the fish species diversity and abundance.