BACTERIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF FISH POND WATER

ABSTRACT

Water is a natural resource that is very important for the existence of all organisms including fishes. Water pollution by bacteria of pathogenic potential has develop a global issues to animal and health of human being. Therefore proper and routine monitoring of water quality is therefore very necessary. This study aimed at determining and estimating the bacteriological population of some selected fish pond water in Benin City. A total of 16 pond water samples was gathered from several fish ponds in Benin City. The water samples were collected in sterile sampling plastic containers at a depth approximately 500 mm and conveyed immediately on ice packs to the laboratory for analysis. The bacteriological distribution was determined based on cultural and biochemical characterization The total heterotrophic bacterial counts observed from the different fish ponds water range from 11.3 ± 0.5 to 53.7 ± 1.9. The least count was observed in Pond 13 while the highest count was observed Pond 7. The heterotrophic bacterial count of the pond water basedon types of ponds used was 43.9 ± 0.17 (earthen ponds), 31.2 ± 0.05 (plastic ponds) and 35.1 ± 0.11 (trampoline ponds). The heterotrophic bacterial count basedon frequency change of pond water was 28.3 ± 0.4 (weekly), 27.9 ± 1.2 (bi-monthly), 41.4 ± 0.5 (monthly) and 53.7 ± 1.9 (three months). The lowest count was observed in bi-monthly ponds while the highest was observed in pond water changed only after three months. The bacterial species that were identified based on biochemical characteristics include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus species, Pseudomonas species, Vibrio species, Escherichia coli, Aeromonas species, Enterococcus species and Proteus species. Unmonitored bacteriological population in aquatic water bodies poses a threat to animal and human health. Therefore, regular monitoring of the bacteriological quality of fish pond water should be carried out in order to prevent and control invasion by pathogenic bacteria.