Fish Species Diversity and Abundance of Dadin Kowa Dam, Gombe State Nigeria

Abstract

An assessment of fish species diversity and abundance of Dadin Kowa Dam Gombe State has been carried out over a period of eight months (July, 2011-February, 2012). A total of twenty six (26) fish species representing fourteen (14) families were identified under families Bagridae, Mormyridae, Cichlidae, Characidae, Citharinadae, Claridae, Mochokidae, Polypteridae, Cyprinidae, Dischontidae, Gymnarchidae,Malapteruridae, Osteoglossidae and Schilbedae. The families Bagridae and Mormyridae had the highest representation in terms of species number. The Dam has a rich ichthyofauna complex, the trend in the fish fauna is yet to be stabilized, in future when the Lake condition is fully established, changes may occur in the composition and relative abundance of various fish species.

An assessment of fish species diversity and abundance of Dadin Kowa Dam Gombe State has been carried out over a period of eight months (July, 2011-February, 2012). A total of twenty six (26) fish species representing fourteen (14) families were identified under families Bagridae, Mormyridae, Cichlidae, Characidae, Citharinadae, Claridae, Mochokidae, Polypteridae, Cyprinidae, Dischontidae, Gymnarchidae,Malapteruridae, Osteoglossidae and Schilbedae. The families Bagridae and Mormyridae had the highest representation in terms of species number. The Dam has a rich ichthyofauna complex, the trend in the fish fauna is yet to be stabilized, in future when the Lake condition is fully established, changes may occur in the composition and relative abundance of various fish species.