SURVEY OF THE FISH FAUNA OF RIVER KUNKO, DABBAN, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Six (6) species from five families were sampled from River Kunko at Dabban, Niger State, Nigeria  for the duration of four months study  period (May - August, 2016). Family Bagridae had the highest diversity of fish species (2) i.e Clarotes laticeps, Chrysicthys aluensis, and family Cichlidae dominated by weight in shore, surface and bottom water sampling. The gill net mesh size (25.4mm) recorded the highest number of fish (13.57) and the highest weight of the fish  caught (112.73) during the sampling period. While, the gill net mesh size (127.0mm) and (177.8mm) recorded the least catch in both number and weight.  The analysis of variance, when considering the weight of fish shows significant variance (P<0.05) among species, habitat, station and months. The interactions varied significantly (P<0.05) for the sampling periods, while a non significant variations (P>0.05) exist in the interaction of species and stations during the sampling period.  Thus, the fish species relative composition of the river has been established and a management strategy to enhanced productivity of the water body should be established .