Solar drying: an alternative to fish drying - a review

Energy is one of the main concerns for the future development of any nation. It is by far the largest merchandise in the world and an enormous amount of it is extracted, distributed, converted and consumed in our global society daily .One major problem regarding agricultural produce is related to the product storage in the harvesting season, and identifying an alternative to marketing fresh produce. A useful option is to prevent wastage of produce by drying, using solar energy. In this regard, solar dryer for domestic as welI as industrial usage could be an effective alternative of saving conventional energy. Utilization of solar thermal energy through solar dryer is relatively in a nascent state in our country. This paper gives a description of the efforts made under several researches to design and develop some types of solar dryers

Morphological characterization and abundance of Melanoides tuberculata from major markets in Makurdi, Benue state, Nigeria

Freshwater snail (Melanoides tuberculata) samples were purchased from five major markets (Modern, Wadata, Rail way, Wurukum and North bank markets) in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria for four months. The morphometric measurements of the shell were taken with the help of a venial caliper in millimeters (mm). The weight of the snail flesh and its shell were measured in grams using an electronic weighing balance. Total length of the snail shell, large diameter, spire height, shell height and opening width were measured using a pair of compass and placed on a meter rule and readings were taken in consideration. The number of whorls on each snail was counted with the help of naked eyes and recorded. Statistically no significant difference (p < 0.05) existed among the body parameters of the snail (Melanoides tuberculata). The highest percentage M. tuberculata (36.89%) was recorded in the month of October, 2016 while the lowest (14.29%) was recorded in the month of November, 2016. The highest percentage M. tuberculata (31.90%) was recorded in Wadata market, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria while the lowest (12.89%) was recorded in North bank market Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.KEYS: Morphological characterization, Melanoides tuberculata, Markets, Benue, Nigeria

A survey of ectoparasites of Clarias gariepinus caught from theUniversity of Agriculture Research Fish Farm, Makurdi

Clarias gariepinus caught from University of Agriculture Research Fish Farm, Makurdi were examined for ectoparasites from October – December 2010. Of the one hundred and twenty (120) C. gariepinus examined, 40 (33.3%) were infested and were observed to harbour forty three (43) ectoparasites. Pisciola geometra accounted for 59.1% while Midge larvae accounted for 40.9%. These parasites were observed to occur only on the skin of the infested fish. There was significance difference (P>0.05) in infestation between the sexes of the fish, with male species having relatively higher percentage infection (65.12%) than the female (34.89%). Bigger fishes were observed to have higher ectoparasites than the smaller ones

Stress concept in transportation of live fishes – a review

This paper review covers work done on various methods of transporting live fishes, factors to consider for fish transportation, the stress concept and how stress can be minimized during fish transportation. It reviews the responsibility of transport personnel(s) or company when carrying out the duty of transporting live fish, the effect of handling of fish during transportation, crowding of fish in the transport container, temperature of the transporting water, and the various water parameters that affects the water quality and how this parameters can be maintained at an optimum level of the fish.Keywords: Stress, live fish, stressor, handling, crowding, water chemistry and water paramete

Checklist and Assessment of Efficiency of Some Traditional Gears and Crafts Used on River Benue

The study was carried out in 2006 from January to October. This covered the dry season and the rainy seasons of the year. The work was carried out along the Lower River Benue. The data were collected monthly using questionnaires and taking photographs of the crafts and the gears by visiting the fishing areas of Abinse, Wadata, Agatu and Kastina Ala. More than half of the one hundred and fifty species of fish native to Nigerian waters were caught in commercial quantities using these gears. A few types of selected gears seem to be distributed according to tribal patterns. It is on this basis that one hears fishers saying “why should I use the Jukun, Tiv, or Hausa type of gear”. In most cases, fishermen will always choose the most efficient type of gear despite the tribal affiliations. The efficiency and use of the gears and crafts was also seasonally based. The commonest gears observed during the study were scoop net, doubled chamber cane trap, woven trap, and Malian trap. In addition, most of these gears were found to be more efficient on predatory fishes. It was also observed during the course of this study that the cost of making these gears is relatively low compared to the imported types. The commonest crafts observed during the study were spear, knife, machete, planked canoe, dugout canoe and calabash. The traditional gears and crafts were cheaper than the imported ones therefore easily affordable by the local fisher forks. The spears and machetes were used as accessory instruments while fishing. The gears were observed to be either passive or active gears

Morphological and parasitological variations of African lungfish, Protopterus annectens in dry and rainy seasons

This study was carried out to determine the seasonal morphological and parasitological variations of African Lung fish (Protopterus annectens) from Upper River Benue, Nigeria. Twenty specimens each of the fish samples from the two seasons were collected monthly for a period of ten months and transported fresh (alive) to the Veterinary laboratory Teaching Hospital, University of Agriculture, Makurdi in plastic jars. The fish samples were identified and sorted into male and female. The total and standard lengths measurements were recorded while the weight was measured. Length weight relationship was determined. Examination for parasites on the fish samples was carried out. Parasitic indices (prevalence (%), and mean intensity, percentage parasite load and percentage frequency of occurrence of each parasite species per location in fish were calculated. The mean total length, total body weight and condition factor of Protopterus annectens in dry season were 36.25cm±0.67, 515.60g±25.90 and 0.91±0.023, respectively while in rainy season, the mean total length, total body weight and condition factor of 34.74cm±0.63, 460.60g±24.20 and 0.91±0.019, respectively. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the mean total lengths, total body weight and condition factor of the fish sample in both seasons. Out of the 400 samples of P. annectens used for the study in dry and rainy seasons, 31.75% were infested with 242 different parasites. Of the total parasites, 50.83% parasites were recorded in dry season from 67.00% infested fish samples while 48.40% parasites were recorded from 32.00% infested fish. Of the parasites species, Contracaecum sp was the most prevalent (34.15%) in dry season. This parasite accounted for 18.70% in the intestine and 15.45% in the stomach while Eustrongyloids sp was the most prevalent (27.36%) in rainy season accounting for 22.64% in the intestine and 4.72% in the stomach. The least prevalent parasite load (3.25% in dry season and 2.83% in rainy season) was recorded for Trichodina sp. Among the body organs of the fish samples, intestine recorded the highest percentage parasite load (50.41%) in dry season while stomach had the highest percentage parasite load (49.06%) in rainy season. The least (3.25% in dry season and 2.83% in rainy season) were recorded for skin. Generally, intestine had the highest percentage parasite load (98.52%) with 50.41% in dry season and 48.11% in rainy season. Female P. annectens from both seasons had more percentage parasite loads (61.79% in dry season and 53.77% in rainy season) than the male P. annectens in both seasons (38.21% in dry season and 46.23% in rainy season). There were variations in percentage parasite load among the length and weight groups of the fish samples and conclusively, higher percentage parasite load (50.83%) was recorded in dry season than the rainy season (48.40%).Keywords: Protopterus annectens, parasites, dry and rainy seasons and upper River Benu

A Comparative Study of the Common Protozoan Parasites of Clarias gariepinus from the Wild and Cultured Environments in Benue State, Nigeria

A total of one hundred and twenty Clarias gariepinus comprising 30 dead and 30 live fishes were examined for protozoan parasites infestation, sixty each from the wild and a pond (cultured environment) over a period of six months. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis was the most common protozoan parasites found in C. gariepinus from the wild (River Benue) and cultured (pond) environments. These protozoan parasites constitute 37.08% of the total parasites encountered for fishes in the pond and 42.51% of fishes in the wild. Among the body parts of the sampled fishes from the pond, the gills had the highest parasite load (38.86%). Also, the gills had the highest parasite load (40.54%) among the body parts of the fishes sampled from the wild. Fishes not infested with any protozoan parasites from the pond constituted 36.70% of the total fish sampled. On the other hand, fishes not infested with any protozoan parasites from the wild constituted 31.65% of the total fish sampled. Female fishes had more protozoan parasites than the male fishes. Bigger fishes of total length (25–48 cm) had more parasite load than the smaller ones (19–24 cm). Also, fishes between 150–750 g had more parasite load than the smaller ones of less than 150 g. Protozoan parasite load of fish from the cultured environment (pond) did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from those from River Benue (wild)

Length-weight relationship, diet composition and condition factor of Clarotes laticeps from Lower River Benue

Length weight relationship, diet composition and condition factor of 240 samples comprising of 79 male and 161 female of C. laticeps from Lower River Benue was determined. The mean total length, standard length, body weight, and condition factor of male Clarotes laticeps were 33.30±1.10, 27.70± 1.07, 464.30±465.03, and 1.05±0.05 respectively while the mean total length, standard length, body weight and condition factor of the female counterpart were 35.80±1.13, 29.33±1.05, 528.20±467.85 and 0.97±0.04 respectively. There was no significant difference (p &gt; 0.05) in the mean total length, standard length, body weight and condition factors between the male and female Clarotes laticeps. Female Clarotes laticeps had better ‘b’ value (3.13) than the males (3.01). Of the 240 C. laticeps examined, 35.00% samples had empty stomachs while 65.00% samples had different food items in their stomachs. Out of the 65.00% stomachs containing different food items, 31.40 % had full stomachs, 26.30 had half-full stomachs, 19.20% had quarter stomach while 23.10% had three quarter-full stomachs. Varieties of food items found in the stomachs C. laticeps ranged from plant to animal materials as well as sand and detritus. The most frequently food item consumed by C. laticeps was algae (85.90%) while insect part (20.12 %) had the least. Numerically, algae (37.24 %) had the highest while digested food particles (6.90%) was the least food item consumed.Keywords: Length-weight, Diet composition, Clarotes laticeps, Condition factor and River Benu

Biometric characteristics, length-weight relationship, food and feeding habit and condition factor of Aleste baremose

Biometric characteristics, length weight relationship, food and feeding habit and condition factor of Aleste baremose from Lower River Benue were determined. Among the morphological indices of A. baremose from Lower River Benue, total length, standard length, head length, snout length weight, gut weight, gut length, eye diameter and condition factor were higher in female samples than the male counterpart. Of the biometric indices, no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) existed between the female and male total length, gut length, gut weight and eye diameter. From the length weight relationship, of male A. baremose had better ‘b’ value (2.83) than the female counterpart (2.76). The most frequently consumed food item by A. baremose was digested food particles (13.33%) while the least was sand (1.67%). Numerically, the most food item consumed by A. baremose was unidentified food items (34.07%) while the least was sand (5.49). Of the 160 samples of A. baremose used for this work, while 64.38 had empty stomach, 35.62% had different food items in their stomachs. Of the stomach with food items, while 17.50% was recorded for quarter-full stomach, the least (3.13%) was recorded for threequarter full stomach.Keywords: Morphological characteristics, length-weight relationship, food and feeding habit, condition factor, A. baremose, River Benu

Length weight relationship, food and feeding habits and condition factor of Synodontis melanoptera and Synodontis courtetti from Lower River Benue, Benue State, Nigeria

Length weight relationship, food and feeding habit and condition factor of Synodontis melanoptera and Synodontis courtetti from Lower River were investigated. The results show that total length, weight and condition factor of S. melanoptera male ranged from 25.50-47.00cm, 100.00-955.00g and 0.39-1.82. Total length, weight and condition factor of S. melanoptera female ranged from 22.50-45.70cm, 103.00- 963.00g and 0.55-2. Female S. melanoptera had higher mean total length (34.02±0.96cm), weight (518.20±42.58g) and condition factor (1.12±0.05) than the male with (33.15±1.21cm), 358.83±52.09g and 0.78±0.05 respectively. Contrastingly, the total length, weight and condition factor of S. courtetti male ranged from 21.48-44.40cm, 106.20-840.40g and 0.37-1.94. Total length, weight and condition factor of S. courtetti female ranged from 22.48-48.30cm, 106.20-946.10g and 0.34-1.76. Female S. courtetti had higher mean total length (33.40±0.85cm), weight (381.58±36.09g) and condition factor (0.89±0.40) than the male counterpart (32.30±0.87cm, 327.32±39.68g and 0.88±0.06 respectively. The ‘b’ values for male, female and combined sexes of S. melanptera were 3.62, 3.32 and 3.45, with high correlation coefficients of 0.91, 0.92 and 0.90, respectively. Male S. melanptera had better ‘b’ value (3.62) than the female (3.32). Also, the ‘b’ values for male, female and combined sexes of S. courtetti were 3.16, 3.10 and 3.12 with high correlation coefficients of 0.83, 0.85 and 0.84, respectively. Higher ‘b’ value (3.16) was recorded for male S. courtetti than the female (3.10). The most frequently food item consumed by S. melanoptera and S. courtetti were stones; while S. melanoptera consumed 61.64% of this food item, S. courtetti consumed 86.44% followed by worms. S. melanoptera consumed 45.21%, S. courtetti consumed 69.49% whereas, the least frequently consumed food item by S. melanoptera and S. courtetti were crayfish (4.11%) and unidentified food item (10.17%), respectively. Numerically, the highest food item consumed by S. melanoptera and S. courtetti were worms (Nematode); S. melanoptera accounted for 31.90% while S. courtetti accounted for 34.57%. Crayfish (3.33%) and unidentified food item (5.76%) were the least food items consumed by S. melanoptera and S. courtetti.Keywords: Length-weight, food and feeding, condition factor Synodontis melanoptera, Synodontis courtett