DETECTION OF Aeromonas species ASSOCIATED WITH CULTURED CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus) FROM FISH FARMS IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Fish makes up a significant amount of the protein consumed by Nigerians. This may be related to health concerns, consumer preferences, and accessibility for those with low incomes. High incidence of Aeromonas species in cultured catfish have been documented to be harmful and this may pose a serious health concern to consumers as fish can harbor pathogenic Aeromonas species. This study was conducted to detect Aeromonasspp.associated with cultured catfish (Clarias gariepinus)from fish farms inBenin City, Nigeria. A total of 16 fish samples with bodyweight of 900-1000kg were sampled from different farms in Benin City. The samples were plated on Glutamate Starch Phenol (GSP) agar using standard microbiological techniques. Presumptive Aeromonas species were further screened using biochemical tests which includes; catalase test, oxidase test, indole test and potassium hydroxide (KOH) test. Overall, 15/64 (23.4%) of the samples were positive for Aeromonas spp. The prevalence of Aeromonas species from the various farms ranges from (0%) to (75%), with Farm E having the highest occurrence while there was none recorded in a total of six farms (Farm B, C, G, I, K and N). Occurrence of Aeromonas spp. from the various organs and flesh ranges from kidney (25.0%), liver (12.5%), spleen (25.0%), and flesh (31.3%) respectively. Samples of liver had the lowest occurrence, while samples of flesh showed the highest occurrence. The occurrence of Aeromonas species in this study necessitate the need to implement suitable control measures to prevent the proliferation of bacterial in aquaculture environments.