Assemblage and Diversity of Fish species in Kalgwai Dam, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated fish species diversity in Kalgwai Dam, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Fish samples were collected fortnightly over 12 months (October 2022-September 2023) using multiple fishing gears, fishes were identified using standard fish identification keys at the Department of Biological Sciences, Sule Lamido University. Fish biodiversity was assessed using diversity index. Sixteen (16) fish species belonging to sixteen (16) families were recorded. The Alestidae family (African Tetra) showed dominancet with the species being 21.23% of total species abundance, and Cichlidae (Tilapias sp. comprised around 13.95% of species abundance. Malapterurida (M.electricus) and Osteoglossidae (H. niloticus) were found to be the rarest species. Fish abundance was highest in December (127%), and the lowest figures in July-September (84%) respectively. Fish diversity indices revealed a specie richness of 6.717 (d), 3.373 Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) and 0.976Equitability index (J). The dominance index values of Simpson were 0.04667, and the species heterogeneity (1-D) was 0.974, which showed high biodiversity of the aquatic environment and resiliency. Overall, the result offer essential insight for strengthening fisheries management.