Physicochemical Parameters and Ichthyofaunal Composition of Streams in Ikono and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

 In this study, physicochemical parameters and ichthyofaunal composition of streams in Ikono and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State were investigated for five months. The highest water temperature was recorded in January, 30.33±0.0157 °C, while the lowest was in March, 22.42±0.0700 °C, all in station 3. The highest pH was recorded in December, 7.58±0.0057, while the lowest was in February, 5.53±0.0067, all in station 3. The highest electrical conductivity was recorded in December, 271±1.0000 µS/cm, in station 2, while the lowest was recorded in March 51±0.0000 µS/cm in station 3. The highest dissolved oxygen 8.71±0.0258 mg/l, was in December, while the lowest was recorded in January 5.44±0.0059 mg/l all in station 2. The highest biochemical oxygen demand was recorded in February 5.89±0.0257 mg/l, in station 1 while the lowest was recorded in January, and 3.12±0.0000 mg/l in station 3. A total of 529 fish belonging to 10 Families and 11 species were recorded. Family Cichlidae consisting of Chromidotililapia guentheri and Coptodon zillii had the highest percentage abundance of 25%, while Family Mormyridae had the lowest percentage abundance of 2.26%. Family Claroteidae Consisting of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus was the most abundant fish recorded in all stations. Ecological indices analysis such as Margalef’s index (d) was highest, 1.786 in station 2, while the lowest, 1.175 in station 3. Shannon-weiners index (H) was highest, 0.9020 in station 1, while the lowest, 0.8493 was in station 2. Species evenness was highest 0.4103 in station 3, while the lowest 0.3846 was in station 1. Margalef’s index and Shannon-weiners index did not show any significant difference (p>0.05) across all the stations, while equitability shows a significant difference (p<0.05) across all the stations. This study provides critical ecological baseline information on the physico-chemical parameter and ichthyofaunal composition of streams in Ikono and Ibiono Ibom and shows the impact of human activities which could threaten the sustainability of the streams and their resources.