FISH COMPOSITION OF SHIRORO RESERVOIR, MINNA, NIGER STATE. NIGERIA

Investigation was conducted to determine the fish species composition, diversity and abundance in Shiroro reservoir, Niger State, Nigeria. Fish samples were collected using nine multi filaments experimental gill nets of mesh sizes 25.4mm, 38.1, 50.8, 63.5, 76.2, 88.9, 101.6, 127.0 and 177.8mm to sample the shore, surface and bottom habitats of the reservoir. The reservoir was assessed from April to September, 2014. A total of 3868 fish samples belonging to seven families, and, seven species were obtained using experimental gill nets of varying mesh sizes. The numerical abundance shows that Cyprinidae dominate the families constituting 72.3%, with the highest weight of 38.6%. Followed by family Cichlidae  having 19.8%  with weight of  24.5% , Mormyridae have 1.6% with weight of 1.9%, Claridae have numerical abundance of 0.9% with weight percent of 7.4, Characidae have 0.2% and weight 2.9%, and Hepsetidae with the least numerical abundance of 0.02% and, the least weight percentage of 0.1%. The number and weight of the sample species of fish were statistically analysed at significant difference (P < 0.05). However, this study revealed that fish abundant were governed by proper sanitation and favourable environment, and it was also observed that wet season has more fish than the dry season.