The distribution, composition and abundance of fish species in two abandoned gold mine reservoirs, Igun, Osun state, Nigeria.

Abstract

Fish composition and abundance of two Gold mine reservoir were investigated between May, 2008 and May, 2009. Seven fish families comprising of twelve species of fish were caught during the period of study. The families of fish caught included Anabantidae, Channidae, Clariidae, Cichlidae, Melanopluridae, Mormyridae and Hepsetidae. The family Cichlidae with six species dominated the collection while other families had one species each. The cichlids had 86.2% of the total catch. All the fishes were available throughout the seasons except Mormyrus rume in the rainy season and Ctenopoma kingsleyae, Tillapia melanoplurae in the dry season. A relatively very low abundance of fish species in the habitat might probably be as a result of high level of pollution in the environment.

Keywords: Igun, Gold-Mine Reservoir, Fish Composition, Distribution, Relative Abundance, Diversity